Alexander Rossi Talks Tag Heuer Watches, His Jet-Set Personal Style And The Indy 500
“If you pull it off, it’s one of the biggest wins in all of sports.”
Alexander Rossi’s journey to Indianapolis 500 champion started improbably enough: With a dream kicked into high gear through childhood mornings watching European Formula 1 races from California, a world away.
The fan-favorite American IndyCar driver turned that dream into a reality in 2016, winning what he calls the “biggest race on Earth” as an IndyCar rookie following a stint in F1.
Since then, he’s kept track of milestones (and the time) with a Tag Heuer watch on his wrist, the timepiece ambassador told Maxim last weekend in a conversation before the 107th running of the legendary Indianapolis 500.
Long before he raced to victory, Rossi was a devout fan of the brand, going so far as to split the cost of a Tag Heuer Monza with his mother as a 40th birthday gift for his father.
“There was always this kind of allure that existed with the brand,” Rossi said of seeing Tag Heuer sponsor Formula 1 races decades ago. “There was always that… family connection that existed.”
These days, Rossi trusts a timepiece like the 2023 edition of the Tag Heuer Formula 1 Indy500, which stood out in eye-catching yet tasteful fashion on his wrist in conversation with Maxim the night before the biggest day in motorsports.
Rossi finished 5th following a dramatic race with a red flag-filled finish, but was within striking distance throughout the day in his Arrow McLaren IndyCar.
The Indianapolis 500 holds a special place in Rossi’s heart: “If you pull it off, it’s one of the biggest wins in all of sports,” he said, reflecting on his 2016 decision to stretch his final tank of gas 90 miles in a 66-to-1 upset win.
Rossi said he wears Tag Heuer “all day, every day” to keep up with the “minute by minute schedule” of the demanding IndyCar circuit, and this year’s Tag Heuer Formula 1 IndyCar watch appears up to the challenge.
The sporty 43mm stainless steel chronograph places the Indy500 logo front and center on the black tachymeter fixed bezel.
The black and gold design notably pays homage to the “Brickyard” itself with an asphalt-esque dial, complete with its own rendition of the iconic finish line, all “part of the legacy of the track,” Rossi noted.
A great timepiece appears an essential these days, and that’s certainly the case for Rossi as he jets across the globe through the oft-grueling IndyCar circuit.
So, what’s a stylish gentleman pack to meet the moment?
For Rossi, there’s his Tag Heuer watch (of course), as well as tried-and-true essentials: Headphones (Rossi isn’t loyal to any particular brand) and at least two pieces of Tumi x McLaren Formula 1 luxury performance luggage.
Rossi also favors Dr. G Black moisturizer to keep his skin hydrated on long flights, plus a good pair of sunglasses — subtle moves any world traveler or open-wheel racing fan should keep in mind.
And as open-wheel racing in general speeds to popularity, bolstered by the fandom around series like Drive to Survive, Rossi has his vision focused forward.
“We all are very happy about the growth of the sport in the States,” he said, noting that IndyCar remains “a very different product” from Formula 1 racing, and not in competition with the international circuit. “As a fan of the sport, I’m stoked to see the progress that it’s making.”
No matter the pole position Rossi lands in next, one thing is certain: A Tag Heuer watch will be on his wrist. Look for it in the winner’s circle.
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