The four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, the three-time championship runner-up with over 30 race wins, and, lest we forget, the Season 5 winner of Dancing with the Stars with Julianne Hough, Castroneves lived decades of his life splicing seconds. 

Early one morning at The Ritz-Carlton on Amelia Island, Florida, Castroneves recalled both his first and second watches. 

“My very, very first one that I remember when as a kid, it was a Mickey Mouse watch. And I remember it was digital. So I couldn’t learn how to actually tell the time. But it was my first watch. Then I got a Timex, and I remember that well because I used that for training.” 

He quickly moved on, leaning forward across the round conference table. “But let me tell you about my most special watch. It’s a plastic Tag Heuer that I still have today. And I won it.” 

The watch, a first-generation Formula 1 watch, designed by Eddy Burgener, features a red fiberglass case with a black plastic strap that was sized by cutting off the end. 

“I went to a race in Brazil at the farm of Ayrton Senna. He had a go kart track on his farm and he put a race together. It was 1988 and I was 16 years old. I mean he was my hero. I remember we were practicing, and he wasn't there. Then he showed up – I was running behind him because I was already warm.”

“Keep in mind, I was already a pro in go kart. I went into a corner super fast, and I think it was just warming up. So I missed timing. Senna was in front of me and he slowed down, and I sort of, bumped and sent him off the line. I didn't do it on purpose but now it looks like I’m that kid who wants to show him who he is, right? And  we went out again. Now he went behind me, and I'm like, oh … There were two corners. He went in, but he didn't slow down. And then I went off the track. It was a little ‘don't mess with me kid moment. 

Turns out, Castroneves won the race. His prize “well, along with the other Top 6 he gave me  this Tag Heuer.”

But the story doesn’t stop there. 

“The following year he was racing Formula 1 in Sao Paulo. And somehow I was able to sneak into the fence with my friends, and his father was there. And I'm like, ‘aren't you Senna’s father? He said ‘no’ immediately and then I was like – but I was at the farm, and you were at the farm. Look, I won this watch. And I pulled up my sleeve and showed him the watch. And he had this gold bracelet Tag Heuer and was like “you want to change?” I should have said yes! But I was like, ‘no, I won this! I beat your son!’ and he just smiled. That was 36 years ago!” 

The Brazilian born racecar driver, who’s tied with A.J. Foyt, Rick Mears, and Al Unser Sr. for the most Indy 500 wins ever, hasn’t worn the watch in years, but vows to always keep it in his collection.