Cadillac eyes encore performance in this weekend's Lone Star Le Mans
- Ghazlan Atqiya Firmansyah
- Sep 3
- 6 min read
On the back of its maiden victory at the previous round, the 6 Hours of São Paulo in July, Cadillac is eyeing a follow-up performance in its home turf, with this weekend's FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Lone Star Le Mans round at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).
The springboard from Brazil
Ahead of this weekend's race, drivers Alex Lynn (No.12) and Earl Bamber (No.38) spoke to the media to reflect on the team's first 1–2 finish in Brazil. Lynn admitted the significance of the win was for the programme.
"I think it was a big moment for all of us, really a big moment for the program for many reasons.
"We've been competing in WEC for a little while now, and the first time we got a really great result. So many times we've been close [and] so many times we've been fast. But I think it was just the first time that we finally showed what we can do, and with a one-two finish as well.
"I think it just made it even sweeter so that we can put that to bed now and just focus on achieving what we know we can achieve as a team."
The Briton felt proud that Cadillac was the most recent winner in the Hypercar class, as not many manufacturers had stood atop the podium.
"When you look through the manufacturers that have won races in the World Endurance Championship in this Hypercar era, there aren't many, and we are now one of them.
"So, I think that puts us now in this category of the team that wants to fight for wins every weekend, to try and fight to win the championship and everything that comes with that.
"This is the team that wants to deliver the biggest results possible on the biggest stage, and we roll into COTA, which is our home race, with a lot of momentum, and we expect to perform. Honestly, we expect to be competitive and to solidify what we've done and come there to do well."
Going after the Manufacturers' Championship is important
With the landscape of the Hypercar class different from what it was four years ago, Bamber claimed it is important for Cadillac to maximise each race and fight for the Manufacturers' Championship.
"I think it's been a big change, and obviously it's something really important for Cadillac to go after the Manufacturers’ Championship.
"I think the thing is, we're going to take it race by race. We had a fantastic race last time out in Brazil. If we execute and we continue to execute and have both cars inside the top five in that manufacturers’ pool, we're going to end up somewhere at the front.
"As drivers or the car crews, we don't think about it that much on the weekend. We focus on maximising the weekend and trying to ultimately bring a win. To have a great car week in week out, the rest is going to follow, let's say in the championship."
The Lone Star Le Mans challenge for Cadillac
Bamber and Lynn were part of the solo Cadillac entry that took fourth at COTA last year. The former believed the nature of the track would suit the V-Series.R once more.
"COTA last year really suited the car.
"Whenever there's a little bit of high downforce corners or high-speed corners, the car's working really well.
"We can put the tyres in the window, so I think we're going to be well-suited again to COTA, and hopefully we have both of us right up there."
The New Zealander said the COTA round would naturally be the next step in helping them understand and unlock the full potential of the car. He added how he and Lynn have been gelling well with the other JOTA drivers.
"I think the JOTA team have sort of gone strength to strength understanding the car.
"I feel like COTA is also going to be naturally in that progression range where we're starting to understand how to unlock the full potential of the car week in week out. And I think for Alex and me also joining the team, everyone's starting to gel more and more together. So, I think from that side, we'll also get stronger as the season progresses.
"I think there was not too much big difference in Brazil. We managed to execute it really, really well. Everyone understood what we needed to do in each stint to achieve the maximum result. The Cadillac was fine there. So, hopefully, it's got the same sort of speed at COTA."
Lynn denied the suggestion that it could be anyone's game at COTA, saying the track is tricky with lots of unique challenges. He echoed his teammate's suggestion that the V-Series.R would perform well in its home race.
"I would say no. I don't think every team can win.
"Obviously, it goes without saying, only one car is going to win. But I think it's a unique track with a lot of challenges. If we talk about our car, its strengths are high downforce corners, which COTA has quite a few of. Also, a lot of big braking, which requires high downforce.
"But like Earl correctly mentioned, I think our car is something that, or one that suits the layout in COTA. I'm pleasantly confident, hopefully, that we're going to be up there. But that is what I believe is what it takes to win at COTA from a car."
Both Lynn and Bamber said that they would fight the likes of Ferrari, Toyota, and Porsche in the Lone Star Le Mans. Lynn is confident to take them on thanks to the progress JOTA has made over the last few weeks.
Defending home turf
Lynn's No.12 co-driver, Nato, said the track is among his favourites and felt a good pressure on himself as this would be the first time he raced in the United States as a Cadillac driver.
"I’m excited as a Cadillac driver to race in America, especially at COTA.
"[It's] such a nice track that’s super fast, and Sector 1 is a bit challenging with the turns. [Also] the Austin area is one of my favourite places to go every year. It’s fun, good food, and the people are very supportive of the racing.
"Racing in America for the first time as a Cadillac driver is good pressure to give our best, and even better because it’s our home race. We obviously want to stand on the podium and cheer with our American fans."
Stevens enjoyed racing in Texas and backed Cadillac JOTA to have another strong performance in their backyard.
"For us drivers, it’s a circuit that we absolutely love driving.
"[In terms of] the nature of the track, we have just about every type of corner that we would want. The high-speed first section, we know that’s going to be a strong point for our Cadillac V-Series.R car.
"We know from last year’s performance that the car was also working very well there. I think we have a great chance at scoring some really good points and having a great race."
Sébastien Bourdais from the No.38 car welcomes the challenge that COTA presents and is determined to put the car on top this time, having finished second in São Paulo.
"COTA is a big challenge for everybody.
"[It's] a track with a variety of slow-speed corners, medium-speed corners, pretty high-speed corners and lots of elevation, so if you add the heat and humidity and enthusiastic crowd, it’s quite an event.
"The U.S. is [Cadillac's] home [race], and I want to put the No.38 at the top, and we know we have a good car for this track, so we’re looking forward to bringing the Cadillac V-Series.R to Texas and putting it at the front."
Jenson Button said: "I enjoy racing at COTA.
"It is a circuit that has a bit of everything to challenge the driver and team over a six-hour race, and I think it will suit our Cadillac V-Series.R. I also like the Austin area, and the fans are very supportive.
"Being the home race for Cadillac, we’ll have a dedicated cheering section. After the 1–2 finish in Brazil, the team is looking to carry that momentum to the U.S. and deliver another victory for Cadillac JOTA."
Cadillac currently sits second in the Hypercar Manufacturers' Championship with 120 points, 55 points behind Ferrari, but ahead of Porsche in third, who are nine points behind.
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