The battle of the manufacturers I After a very successful 2023 edition, Cadillac is back at it again with a clear ambition: to win. Without complexes, the drivers of the American firm want to do well in an edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans which promises to be tighter than ever.
Solid foundations
Contrary to Lamborghini Or AlpineCadillac is not starting from a blank slate to attack the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2024. Indeed, the Centenary of the event was rather successful for the Americans, who even managed to climb on the third step of the podium. Today, the entire team is building on this performance to build something even greater. “ The previous edition showed that we had a reinforced concrete car »declares Renger van der Zande, whose comments are corroborated by those of Alex Lynn: “reliability was there, as was the speed of the pilots”.
No less than 80 people are present to carry out Cadillac’s mission at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
JORDAN BONNIN (ACO)
Once again, the two Cadillac Racing team prototypes marked #2 and #3 are joined by the V-Series.R #311, coming from the United States where it is competing in the IMSA championship. Last year, an off-track by Jack Aitken in the very first loop had prevented the Action Express Racing crew from playing for interesting places. Pipo Derani, also a victim of this twist of fate, wants to learn from this frustrating experience. “Let’s not forget that it is difficult to master all the parameters when you are not competing in the World Endurance Championship. They are different codes, adaptation is an additional challenge. This accident just after the start prevented us from showing our progress throughout the week of racing” he recalls bitterly.
Pipo Derani
Fortunately, the car has lost none of its bite. During the winter, it even became sharper, still driven by its naturally aspirated 5.5-liter V8 which never ceases to make the hearts of spectators vibrate. The engine is not its only asset according to Felipe Drugovich, Formula 2 champion in 2022. “Electronics are one of its strong points. The traction control is particularly efficient; it really helps us, unlike other systems that limit or hinder the pilot. The Cadillac V-Series.R also has good mechanical grip, so it performs well in slow corners despite its weight. » he says, as he prepares to compete in his first 24 Hours of Le Mans.
No improvement will ever come at the expense of the team’s strong identity. “ Cadillac proudly represents America, with strength and conviction » underlines Laura Wontrop Klauser, head of sports programs at General Motors. Witness the engine without a turbo – American specificity – for which the sole representative of Uncle Sam’s country in Hypercar opted. Despite the absence of victory in 13 participations since 1950“Caddies” are now part of the landscape.
The engine, developed at GM in Pontiac, Michigan, is made up of nearly 2,000 parts. The brand’s first V8 dates back to 1915. Photo: Cadillac
Precious adjustments
It is difficult, after a successful first, to aim higher, especially when the competition is even tougher. Moreover, the efforts have not been rewarded since the start of the season. In FIA WEC World Endurance Championship, Cadillac is in eighth place in the manufacturers’ ranking. It’s a little better in the United States for V-Series.R #311 whose crew is currently ranked fourth, but without victory in the great American classics. “ This season, we didn’t get the results we hoped for. We will try to reach a new level at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. We have progressed, but so have the others. We’re going to dream, that’s the most important thing at this stage.”says Alex Lynn, driver of #2.
In order to continue progress and reach a milestone, two new elements are coming to strengthen the crews which will compete in the 92nd edition of the 24 Hours. On the one hand, the Brazilian Felipe Drugovich in the #311, helped by his extensive experience as an Aston Martin reserve driver in Formula 1. Still in the learning phase in endurance, he is trying to adapt as best as possible: “It’s a difficult beast to tame. It is quite heavy whereas I am used to very light single-seaters.. But overall it’s fun to ride.”.
Felipe Drugovich
At the wheel of the #311, we find Felipe Drugovich, 24 years old, a reference in the world of single-seaters, with a few appearances in the Aston Martin garage in F1.
LAURENT CARTALADE (ACO)
On the other, Álex Palou on #2. The Spaniard, twice Indycar champion, is a sure bet but also a rookie at Le Mans. His teammate Earl Bamber, winner of the event in 2015 and 2017 with Porsche, has complete confidence in him. “ Alex Palou is a world-class driver, who had very good results in Indycar. I think he has all the qualities to adapt quickly to this car on a track as special as that of the 24 Hours of Le Mans”he confides.
Win, or nothing
With three well-prepared cars, crews combining experience and speed, there is no reason to worry. The year 2024 alone should not make us forget the capabilities of the Cadillac V-Series.R. No one talks about it better than those behind the wheel, who consider themselves favorites in the same way as Porsche, Ferrari or Toyota drivers. “ Everyone knows we can be fast, we’re not underdogs. We were already very competitive last year, I don’t see why we wouldn’t be as high in the hierarchy. Of course, everyone else did the same thing, but we believe in ourselves.”advocates Earl Bamber, on #2 with Lynn and Palou.
His colleague Renger van der Zande, in #3 with Sébastien Bourdais and Scott Dixon, is even clearer: “ We are here for only one thing: victory. Any other result would be a disappointment. Personally, I am very confident and I don’t see why we wouldn’t be in the game”.
Renger van der Zande
The yellow Cadillac #3 did not change crew. Sébastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande and Scott Dixon finished fourth in the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, just two laps behind the winner.
Arnaud CORNILLEAU (ACO)
Even if everyone expects “a closer race than in 2023”the crew of #311 knows what to do to erase the bad memory of last year. “We should start the weekend better. We took too long to get into the swing of things, to gain momentum », says Pipo Derani. He will be able to count on his teammate Felipe Drugovich, who, obviously, does not ask any questions: “I know I have nothing to prove to anyone, so I have no pressure”. Jack Aitken completes the trio, he who will want to avenge his costly mistake from the previous edition.
The battle of the manufacturers is on. Who from Alpine, BMW, Lamborghini or Isotta Fraschini will have the best success in their first 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Hypercar? Verdict on track from 4 p.m., Saturday June 15. This clash will also be the theme of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Show, which all spectators of this 92nd edition will be able to enjoy from 11:30 p.m. The Synapson duo will mix on this immersive sound and light, once again relying on on pyrotechnics, drones, video and lighting design.
The #311 still finished in 17th place at the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, despite an accident just after the lights went out.
Alexis GOURE (ACO)
