The Greatest of All Time

American actor and TAG Heuer House Ambassador Patrick Dempsey has shared his deep respect for the legends of Formula 1, specifically highlighting the achievements of the 1950s superstar Juan Manuel Fangio. For Dempsey, Fangio's versatility and consistency across different cars and manufacturers set him apart as a primary icon of the sport.

"When I think of my F1 icon, I think you have to go back to Juan Manuel Fangio and his World Championships in so many different cars and makes. I think in that era in particular, his ability to win consistently – I would say he would be the greatest of all time, in my opinion."

While Fangio holds the top spot, Dempsey also acknowledged the transformative impacts of other champions. He noted Michael Schumacher's dominance, Ayrton Senna's introduction of rigorous discipline to the sport, and Lewis Hamilton's role as a turning point in F1 history. He also looked toward the future, mentioning the emergence of the next generation, including Kimi Antonelli.

Immersed in Motorsport Culture

Dempsey's connection to the 1950s was deepened during his role playing Piero Taruffi in a Ferrari-related film. This experience allowed him to explore the post-war era of motorsport, a time characterized by raw technology, dangerous tracks, and a unique sense of camaraderie.

Reflecting on the inherent dangers of the past, Dempsey observed the terrifying rise in speeds during the 1960s and early 70s, a period marked by a high number of fatalities before safety pioneers like Jackie Stewart emerged. When asked if he would have raced in that era, Dempsey admitted he would have been attracted to it, though he acknowledged the frightening nature of historic circuits like the Nürburgring and the banked Monza.

He also credited modern media for the sport's current explosion in popularity, noting that Drive to Survive has opened Formula 1 to a much wider global audience.

A Passion for Horology

As an ambassador for TAG Heuer, Dempsey emphasized the intrinsic link between precision timekeeping and racing. He shared stories of building his own vintage watch collection, starting with a Heuer Monaco purchased in a small village during a trip to Spa.

"I wanted something to remember my season in the World Endurance Championship in 2015, so I bought it," Dempsey recalled regarding his first vintage acquisition. His collection has since grown to include an Autavia Heuer and a 'Senna' watch, reflecting his passion for the rich history of the sport.

Dempsey concluded that it is this deep-rooted racing heritage that makes TAG Heuer's role as the Official Timekeeper of Formula 1 so authentic and appropriate.