Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA counting on ‘chemistry’ as driver line-ups revealed
Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA has confirmed the composition of its two Hypercar crews for the forthcoming FIA World Endurance Championship campaign, with a focus on finding the right ‘chemistry’ as the Anglo-American alliance targets a successful first season.
Combining the rich legacy of Cadillac’s motorsport pedigree with JOTA’s renowned expertise in endurance racing, Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA is a fusion of the GM-owned brand’s factory-backed effort and the giant-killing heroics of the independent British outfit – conqueror of the most recent two FIA World Cup for Hypercar Teams titles and an historic outright victory at Spa-Francorchamps last year.
For 2025, the squad’s driver line-ups represent a blend of seasoned endurance racing veterans and rising stars in the discipline. Alex Lynn, Norman Nato and Will Stevens join forces behind the wheel of the #12 V-Series.R prototype, while Earl Bamber, Sébastien Bourdais and Jenson Button team up in the sister #38 entry.
“Getting that chemistry right, not only between the drivers, but within the entire team is something we pride ourselves on,” reflected Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA Co-Founder, David Clark. “There’s no one individual more important than the rest. Absolutely everyone has their role to play, and creating the right dynamic in which everyone can achieve their best is crucial to on-track success for us.
“During pre-season testing, we’ve seen an incredible team spirit already build between our drivers and their crews. That is extremely encouraging, but we don’t take anything for granted.”
“We have six extremely strong drivers with a combination of experience and fresh eyes on the Cadillac programme,” added Team Principal, Dieter Gass. “Each of those drivers brings something unique to the table, and as a team, our job was to establish which combinations made the most sense to maximise the overall strengths of the group.
“While character and personality play a big role in team dynamics, driving style and preferences were additionally key factors in determining who would be paired in each car. We took our time over this process, and we’re really looking forward to seeing what both trios can achieve.”
Cadillac Racing has also reshuffled its leadership structure in recent weeks. Keely Bosn has been appointed Programme Manager, with Sean O’Shea coming on-board as Propulsion Manager, focussing on the performance and development of the manufacturer’s purpose-built 5.5-litre V8 engine.
Meanwhile, Xavier Marcos Padros has been named Technical Director, making him responsible for all aspects of engineering, car performance and development. Before joining GM, the Spaniard gained experience as a Formula 1 race engineer, most recently with Scuderia Ferrari and Charles Leclerc, prior to which he worked with Williams Racing and in NASCAR.
The eight-round 2025 FIA WEC campaign will get underway with the curtain-raising Qatar 1812km on 28 February, preceded by the traditional ‘Prologue’ group test at the same circuit on 21-22 February.
