News On 27 November 2010 in Düsseldorf, Audemars Piguet CEO Philippe Merk officially welcomed Michael Schumacher into the AP family, of which the German driver thus becomes the new icon. An authentic living legend with his seven world championship titles, Schumacher holds the most prestigious records in motor racing Formula 1. His 68 pole positions, 91 victories and 154 podium finishes on all the world’s major tracks make him the greatest racing driver of all time. After his return to competition in 2010, next season, we will see him competing in the 18th world championship of his career.
He is fascinated by watchmaking and an acknowledged connoisseur who has been collecting timepieces for a number of years, as he explains: "My friend Jean Todt introduced me to fine mechanical watches from Audemars Piguet, which I like to compare with racing cars because of their numerous common denominators including high-tech materials, cutting-edge R&D developments, and optimised mechanical performance. I admire the incredible work of the teams in Le Brassus and Le Locle who give shape to magnificent watches featuring ingenious technology and daring designs, yet without ever losing sight of horological traditions."
For Audemars Piguet, the world of motor sports is well-known territory. Having been involved for several years now in historical car rallies such as the National Classic Tour in Belgium, the Gstaad Classic in Switzerland and the Tour Auto in France, the watch manufacturer’s ambassadors also include three other racing drivers: Rubens Barrichello, Jarno Trulli and Sébastien Buemi.
January 11, 2011
