24h Le Mans
On the heels of its successful performance at the 2023 24 Hours, Cadillac returns with one clear goal: to win. The American carmaker's drivers are committed to going above and beyond to reach the top step on the podium in a more competitive field than ever.
Unlike Lamborghini and Alpine, Cadillac is a recent veteran of the 24 Hours, claiming the third step on the podium at last year's Centenary. Now, the team is aiming even higher. Renger van der Zande: The previous edition showed that our car was rock solid. Alex Lynn: The reliability was there, as was the speed of the drivers.
Once again, Cadillac Racing's #2 and #3 prototypes will be joined by the #311 V-Series.R from the U.S. where the car competes in the IMSA. Last year, Jack Aitken's incident during the very first lap prevented Action Express Racing to vie for a top spot in the classification. Hoping to learn from the frustrating experience is Pipo Derani: Let's not forget that it's difficult to master all the parameters when you're not competing in the World Endurance Championship. The codes are different and adapting is an extra challenge. That accident just after the start prevented us from showing our progress throughout the weeks of racing.
Fortunately, the car powered by a spectator-favourite 5.5L naturally aspirated V8, got sharper over the winter, and the engine is not its only asset according to 2022 F2 world champion and Le Mans rookie Felipe Drugovich: The electronics are one of its strong points. The traction control is particularly effective and it really helps us, unlike other systems that limit or hinder the driver. The Cadillac V-Series.R also has good mechanical grip, so it performs well in slow corners despite its weight.
No change or improvement will ever be made that compromises the team's identity. GM Sports Car Racing Programme Manager Laura Wontrop Klauser: Cadillac proudly represents America with strength and conviction. Notice the absence of the American standby: a turbo. Despite the lack of victory in 13 participations since 1950, the "Caddies" are now seasoned regulars.
The challenge in aiming higher is the competition level is more cutthroat than ever, and the team has indeed experienced its fair share of disappointment since the beginning of the 2024 season. In the FIA World Endurance Championship, Cadillac is currently eighth in the standings. The #311 has performed somewhat better in the U.S. and is now fourth, but without a win at any of the big American races. The #2 driver Alex Lynn: This season, we haven't had the results we'd hoped for. We're going to try to reach a new level at the 24 Hours. We've made progress, but so have the others. We're going to dream, and that's the most important thing at this stage.
In order to improve the team's progress and contender status for the 92nd 24 Hours, the Brazilian Felipe Drugovich has been recruited for the #311, bringing with him ample experience gained as a reserve driver for Aston Martin in F1. Still finding his footing in endurance racing, he is doing his best to adapt quickly. Felipe Drugovich: It's a difficult beast to tame. It's quite heavy, whereas I'm used to very light single-seaters. But, overall, it's fun to drive.
Álex Palou has also joined the team, to take the wheel of the #2. The Spanish driver and two-time IndyCar champion is a rookie at Le Mans, but teammate and 24 Hours winner (2015 and 2017 with Porsche) Earl Bamber has every confidence in him. Earl Bamber: Alex Palou is a world-class driver who has had very good results in Indycar. I think he has all the qualities needed to adapt quickly to this car on a track as special as Le Mans.
With three well-prepared cars, and fast and experienced driver line-ups, Cadillac has everything it needs to succeed. The 2024 season to this point should not suggest the Cadillac V-Series.R can be underestimated. No one agrees with this outlook more than its own drivers who consider themselves as much contenders as those representing Porsche, Ferrari and Toyota. Bamber: Everyone knows that we can be fast, we're not outsiders. We were already very competitive last year, so I don't see why we shouldn't be as high up the order. Of course, everyone else did the same thing, but we believe in ourselves.
Teammate Renger van der Zande, in the #3 with Sébastien Bourdais and Scott Dixon, agrees. Van der Zande: We're here for one thing only, to win. Any other result would be a disappointment. Personally, I'm very confident and I don't see why we shouldn't be in the running.
Even though everyone expects the competition to be even fiercer than in 2023, the #311 crew knows what to do to erase the memory of last year. Derani: We'll have to start the weekend off better. We took too long to get into the swing of things, to gain momentum. He can count on teammate Drugovich: I know I don't have to prove anything to anyone, so I don't feel any pressure. Jack Aitken will complete the trio and look to make up for his costly error from last year.
Which Hypercar rookie will fare better: Alpine, BMW, Lamborghini or Isotta Fraschini? The start of the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans will be given on Saturday 15 June at 16:00 local time (GMT+2). This battle of the newcomer marques will serve as the theme for the 24 Hours of Le Mans Show kicking off at 23:30. The duo, Synapson, is set to wow the crowd with its special blend of sound and immersive lighting, pyrotechnics, drones and video.
