SPORT Patrick Dempsey: Calm at Full Throttle

Whether he’s on a film set, racing at Le Mans, or appearing at the Goodwood Festival of Speed presented by Mastercard—where he was wearing the limited edition TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph x Goodwood Festival of Speed—Dempsey brings the same quiet intensity and unshakable mindset.

For him, motorsport is far more than a symbolic passion — it’s a profession, a discipline, and a commitment he lives fully. Dempsey has competed in some of the world’s most demanding endurance races, including multiple appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2015, he even reached the podium in the GTE-Am category, a crowning achievement for his own racing team, Dempsey-Proton Racing. His presence in the paddock is that of a driver, and not only a motorsports aficionado.

“When I hear ‘designed to win,’ I feel the need to be focusing on the process,” Dempsey explains. “Thoughtfulness, preparation, execution. It all contributes to the culture and teamwork.”

At 58, Patrick Dempsey embodies a multidimensional version of success — one that spans cinema, motorsport, and a growing commitment to personal growth. It’s this hunger to keep evolving that aligns so closely with TAG Heuer’s “Designed to Win” campaign, a tribute to those who strive not just to succeed, but to refine their purpose along the way.

“I have not reached my full potential yet,” he says. “I keep looking to improve and grow. I am always trying to find inspiration to keep that drive and desire to win.”

For Dempsey, the concept of winning goes far beyond medals or photo finishes. It’s about the precision of preparation — and the calm that must coexist with pressure.

And nowhere is this balance more critical than behind the wheel. At over 300 km/h, the ability to remain composed under intense mental and physical strain becomes a survival skill.

“The concept of winning is when you put it all together and it works,” he says. “You have to give 100% and be able to control everything that can be controlled, and accept the things that are out of your control.”

His personal compass is rooted in focus, and that starts with something as essential — and often overlooked — as breathing.

“I always go back to the importance of breathing,” Dempsey says. “It is the best way to remember to stay focused and reset… It keeps me grounded and helps me achieve my goals.”

If there’s one throughline in Dempsey’s reflections, it’s consistency. From discipline in training to surrounding himself with like-minded people, the idea of cultivating a winning environment is key.

“Drive, determination, focus, passion, commitment, and sacrifice,” he lists when asked to define a winning mindset. “The culture in which you surround yourself, and the people in your circle, must have the same mindset and passion.”

In racing, success isn’t built on one moment — it’s sustained through repetition, effort, and trust. This resonates across disciplines for Dempsey, whether it’s the stamina needed for 24- hour endurance events or the detailed preparation for a leading role. And it’s a philosophy he’ll bring once again to the Hillclimb at Goodwood, where heritage meets modern ambition on one of motorsport’s most iconic stages.

As someone who splits his time between the intensity of professional racing and the creative rigor of acting, Dempsey views time not just as a resource, but as a teacher.

“The older I get, the more I realize the less time I have,” he admits. “To make the most of the time that I do have — living every day to its fullest — is very important. The quality of time I have remaining and my commitment to being present is important.”

His understanding of time is also shaped by the track, where every tenth of a second counts. Managing energy, coordinating pit strategies, and pushing performance at the right moment are skills he’s learned in racing and brought into the rhythm of his everyday life.

Patrick Dempsey’s story is not one of shortcuts or sudden triumphs. It’s a testament to showing up, refining your tools, and cultivating a mindset that thrives in the long game. With TAG Heuer, his ethos finds a kindred spirit: not just in what time measures, but in how we choose to use it.

“Once again,” he reminds us, “it relates back to the process and consistency in training and with your habits.”

Whether on a film set or behind the wheel, Dempsey approaches every challenge like a true competitor: with the heart of a craftsman, the mind of a strategist, and the soul of a driver.

Because to be truly designed to win is to make every moment count — with purpose, presence, and passion.