Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA locks front row at Le Mans and eyes 2026 upgrades
British driver Alex Lynn secured pole for the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans with a 3‑minute‑23.166‑second lap, giving Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA a historic front‑row lock‑out. The result, announced after the Hyperpole 2 session on June 12, marks the first outright pole for an American marque at Le Mans since Ford in 1967 and the first time Cadillac has led the grid in the race’s 93rd edition.Reuters
Performance recap – Hyperpole drama and race outcome
The Hyperpole format, introduced this season, consists of a qualifying sprint (Hyperpole 1) that trims the Hypercar field to ten, followed by a final shoot‑out (Hyperpole 2). Cadillac’s #12 V‑Series R posted the fastest time in Hyperpole 2, edging Porsche’s #5 by 0.309 seconds after a wheel loss forced the German car to limp back to the pits. Earl Bamber’s #38 followed 0.167 seconds behind, securing the front row for the American duo.
During the race, the two Cadillacs struggled for grip on the long Sarthe straights. The #12 finished fourth on the lead lap, matching the winning Ferrari’s race distance, while the #38 crossed the line a lap down in seventh place.IMSA The result left the team just shy of a podium but demonstrated that the V‑Series R can sustain competitive pace over 24 hours.
Team perspective – Building on a strong foundation
JOTA Sport director Sam Hignett reflected on the season’s mixed fortunes at a post‑race briefing: “It’s easy to think about what could have been, but we need to focus on how far we’ve come in the few short months since we’ve formally been working together with Cadillac. The whole team has worked phenomenally hard to get to this point, and while we still have a way to go, we have 365 days to prepare for next year.” The sentiment underscored a long‑term development plan rather than a single‑event result.
Driver Sébastien Bourdais, who co‑piloted the #38, added: “We made some mistakes and got a bit unlucky at times. Overall we need to be stronger to win a WEC race right now. We are showing good things and just need to build on the strengths and fill the gap for the weaknesses.” Both comments were delivered during the official Le Mans press conference on June 13.
Season highlights – From São Paulo to the manufacturers’ table
Cadillac’s 2025 campaign featured a one‑two finish at the Rolex 6 Hours of São Paulo, where the #12 and #38 combined for a 1‑2 result that reinforced the program’s race‑winning potential. In addition, the team claimed three Hyperpole victories—São Paulo, Le Mans, and the 6 Hours of Bahrain—showcasing single‑lap speed across the calendar.
At the close of the season, Cadillac placed fourth in the FIA World Endurance Championship Hypercar manufacturers’ standings, trailing Ferrari, Toyota and Porsche. The fourth‑place finish reflects a solid points haul despite the lack of a race win, and it sets a realistic benchmark for 2026.24 h Le Mans
Technical evolution – Aero upgrades for 2026
Cadillac announced that the V‑Series R will receive an upgraded aerodynamic package for the 2026 season, targeting higher top‑speed on Le Mans’ long Mulsanne Straight. The new package will feature a re‑shaped rear diffuser and a refined front splitter, aiming to reduce drag while maintaining down‑force on the circuit’s high‑speed corners.Official ACO release
Mechanical revisions will also include a revised suspension geometry to improve tyre contact on the mixed‑surface layout of the Porsche Curves. Engineers expect these changes to address the grip deficits that limited the Cadillacs at Le Mans 2025.
Driver line‑up continuity and fresh talent
Cadillac will retain the proven trio of Alex Lynn, Norman Nato and Will Stevens in the #12 for 2026. The pairing delivered points in every race this year and will provide stability as the car evolves. The #38 will see a refreshed driver roster: Earl Bamber remains alongside Sébastien Bourdais, while Jack Aitken joins as the third driver. Aitken’s strong performances in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship earned him the promotion, and his 30‑year‑old experience adds a blend of speed and composure.
Looking ahead – The quest for a Le Mans victory
With the aerodynamic upgrades scheduled for early 2026, Cadillac aims to turn its front‑row dominance into a race win at the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans, slated for 10‑14 June 2026. The team’s strategic focus will be on converting qualifying pace into sustained race‑pace reliability, a shift that could see the V‑Series R shed its “outsider” label and join the roster of regular winners.
For a deeper look at Cadillac’s development roadmap and the upcoming WEC calendar, read more on Globally Pulse Sports.
