"Super special" for the programme: Cadillac seals historic maiden WEC victory in São Paulo

Written by Ghazlan Atqiya Firmansyah

The Cadillac JOTA team celebrating their 1–2 finish in São Paulo | Credit: Cadillac Racing

It has been a long time coming; Cadillac has now officially become the newest Hypercar team to achieve a victory in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). The V-Series.R programme has been turbulent at times since its debut in 2023. But now Cadillac and JOTA can celebrate after winning the 6 Hours of São Paulo.

The long and winding road

The American brand’s Hypercar venture into the WEC began in 2023 with Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) as Cadillac Racing, fielding one V-Series.R.

In its debut season, they kicked off their programme with a back-to-back fourth finish in Sebring and Portimão and took third place at Le Mans. They finished fourth in the Manufacturers’ Championship with 79 points without any retirements.

In its sophomore season, the V-Series.R struggled to match its Hypercar rivals’ consistency despite taking its first pole in Fuji, which was unable to be converted into victory following a collision that ended its race. On the eve of the mandated two-Hypercar entries, CGR and Cadillac parted ways.

Consistency with JOTA

The race-winning No.12 Cadillac car | Credit: Cadillac Racing

British outfit JOTA took over the V-Series.R programme and became a factory-backed team for the first time. They fielded two cars with Nos.12 and 38, featuring their drivers from the previous year and Cadillac’s factory drivers.

The V-Series.R became the benchmark of consistency after being the only Hypercar to start in every Hyperpole this season, including taking the brand’s first pole in Le Mans and feat that continued in São Paulo.

While consistent, other Hypercars often had the pace that the V-Series.R lacked. For example, they were eclipsed by the Ferrari 499Ps despite starting on pole in Le Mans. Originally finished in fifth, they took fourth as a result of the No.50 Ferrari’s disqualification.

A charge to the victory

Cadillac and JOTA, keen to make amends in São Paulo, took another 1–2 in Hyperpole before the sister car No.38 was demoted due to impeding a Peugeot car.

The No.38 car running side-by-side with a fellow GM-backed Corvette | Credit: Cadillac Racing

Both cars put on a show during the race. The No.12 car lost its lead to the Porsche in the opening hour and had to serve a drive-through penalty for technical infringement.

But the team refused to give up, and a charge to the front followed. The No.12 and No.38 ran dominantly in 1–2 for most of the race, leading 165 laps out of 242. This time, the victory is theirs to enjoy.

No.12’s Alex Lynn has been with the programme since its development in 2022 and was very satisfied with the victory: "Honestly, this is now year number three of me racing this car and year number four of driving it. And, personally, it's a huge sense of satisfaction."

"You know, it's been a huge journey with Cadillac, and to finally win a race of the WEC championship is special. It's been a lot of hours driving the car and a lot of hours working on it, and it means everything."

"It’s honestly quite impressive, like the progress we're doing”, Norman Nato said. “Since Imola, we keep improving. Fourth at Le Mans was good; obviously, we want more. Le Mans was already quite a strong performance for such a new team that we are in today."

"One, two, with the two Cadillacs and first win for myself as well. Cadillac and JOTA have been working on this car for already some years, and for everyone involved in this, to have this kind of moment today is special. It's just the beginning."

Will Stevens said the aim this year was to continue the team’s tradition of winning races and felt the win was super special: "It's just amazing for everyone in this programme."

"Obviously, to get Cadillac’s first win for us in the No.12 car is pretty special. But, obviously, for us, as JOTA as well, and carrying on the tradition of getting wins every year, I think [it’s] super special."

"This is only the beginning of a long programme we have together. A goal for this year was to obviously make sure we win a race, but we have even bigger aspirations to keep on winning races and tick off the big boxes that we want to take in this programme. So [it’s] very special."

The No.38 drivers during the autograph session | Credit: Cadillac Racing

No.38’s Earl Bamber felt proud of the win and was pleased with second place, due to a more difficult season for No.38’s side of the garage: "I think for the programme, what everyone's worked for, since the very beginning in 2022, and now to get our first one-two in the WEC – and a first for Cadillac."

"It’s a proud moment for everyone. We've had a tough season on the 38 car, so to get second place is great and it's [an] amazing job by the [No.]12 guys."

Sébastien Bourdais said: "Just really happy for the boys, for the team, for Hertz and obviously for Cadillac and everybody involved because it's been a lot of work and it's the first time that we kind of came together in the race."

"It’s definitely a good feeling. Earl did an amazing job, and then Jenson did as well. And then, when I got in the car, I really got into a really, really poor sequence of traffic and lapped cars, and it was really difficult."

"I think I really hurt the tires just in dirty air in general, and then I really struggled to get into a rhythm. It was a really hard battle, but we got it done and got our first podium."

Jenson Button reflected that this result showed that Cadillac and JOTA had been gelling very well: "It's been a very emotional year in terms of a roller coaster, but to finally get a one-two for this amazing team is special."

"[I’m] really proud of everyone. They've worked so hard. The partnership between JOTA and Cadillac just shows how we've gelled and we're one big family."

"Well done to the [No.]12 car for the win … untouchable. But I enjoyed it out there. The car worked really well, and it's the best car I’ve had all year. So, long may it continue and congratulations to Cadillac and Hertz Team JOTA", Button concluded.

Cadillac and JOTA will return to action in Austin for the Lone Star Le Mans, Cadillac’s home race on September 7, where last year, Lynn and Bamber took fourth.

Thanks to the 1–2 finish, the team now sits second in the Hypercar Manufacturers' Championship with 120 points, 55 points behind Ferrari.