F1 World Champion, Classic Car Aficionado, and Rolex Testimonee Returns to Laguna Seca.
Monterey Car Week 2025 is set to deliver another world-class celebration of motoring excellence, with 2009 Formula 1 World Champion and Rolex Testimonee Jenson Button once again stepping into the spotlight. As Grand Marshal of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion, Button will lend his name – and unmistakable presence – to one of the week’s most iconic vintage racing events, helping Rolex mark two decades as the Official Timepiece of The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering.
For more than 70 years, California’s Monterey Peninsula has hosted the automotive world’s most discerning collectors, manufacturers, and motorsports legends. And in recent years, no figure has embodied the intersection of heritage, craftsmanship, and competitive spirit more elegantly than racing star Button.
“I love being in Monterey because it offers something for everyone, regardless of your taste in cars,” Button said. “It’s exciting to see how motor sport history is shaping today’s automotive industry and inspiring new generations of designers. This growing appreciation for the style and craftsmanship of classic cars has given fresh perspective to the automotive world.”
Button at the Wheel of Tradition and Innovation
Rolex’s relationship with Monterey Car Week is deep-rooted, and this year’s festivities will continue to celebrate the brand’s long-standing commitment to motor sport excellence. From the high-speed action at Laguna Seca to the refined elegance of The Quail, Button will represent not just the legacy of Formula 1, but a broader movement that cherishes preservation, authenticity, and timeless design.
The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion kicks off on Wednesday, August 13, at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, where more than 400 historically significant cars from across 12 decades will roar through the hills, including the infamous Corkscrew. Button, no stranger to historic racing machines, will serve as Grand Marshal, bridging the gap between the golden age of racing and the modern renaissance of collector car culture.
Since partnering with the event in 2001, Rolex has helped elevate the Reunion into a cornerstone of Monterey Car Week. Its title sponsorship, which began in 2010, underscores the brand’s belief in honoring the past while inspiring future innovation.
The Quail Turns 20 with Button and Rolex
On Friday, August 15, attention turns to the manicured greens of The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, celebrating its 22nd year alongside Rolex’s 20th year as the event’s sponsor. Button will also take part in the festivities. Known for its exclusive atmosphere and curated automotive displays, The Quail is where collectors and OEMs debut their most ambitious creations – from hypercars to coachbuilt masterpieces.
“The Quail has the classic car element, with stunning examples on display, but it has also become a major platform for manufacturers to showcase their new Hypercars,” said Button. “It has grown significantly over the past few years, and I can only imagine how much it has evolved over the past 20 years, particularly with Rolex’s support. The brand’s involvement is a testament to its long-term commitment to excellence and timeless elegance in motor sport.”
Among the more than 20 cars set to debut at The Quail in 2025, the event will also showcase featured classes honoring anniversaries of pivotal marques and models. The Rolex Best of Show award – one of the most coveted distinctions of the week – will once again recognize the passion, authenticity, and craftsmanship that define this rarefied corner of the car world.
A Timeless Connection Between Watchmaking and the Road
Rolex’s involvement in Monterey Car Week events, including the Pebble Beach Tour d’Elegance® and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, reflects the Swiss watchmaker’s enduring bond with automotive culture. From the first revs of the engines during the 70-mile Tour along Highway 1 to the quiet elegance of Sunday’s Concours, Button and Rolex stand together as icons of performance and precision.
With next year’s Concours set to celebrate the centennials of Invicta, Chrysler, and Moretti, as well as the 60th anniversary of the legendary Shelby Cobra 427, Button’s presence offers a reminder that racing royalty continues to shape how we view the past—and how we build the future.
From the track to the concours lawn, Jenson Button’s role at Monterey Car Week 2025 is more than symbolic. It’s a celebration of speed, style, and the enduring legacy of those who know how to drive both forward and back in time – with Rolex keeping time at every turn.
Images Source: Rolex
