Sébastien Bourdais : “Its a golden age for prototype endurance racing”
Sébastien Bourdais returns to FIA WEC’s premier class for the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. The Frenchman will drive the No. 3 Cadillac V-Series. R in the Ardennes, as well as for the Centenary of the 24 hours of Le Mans.
A factory driver for Cadillac Racing in IMSA’s WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, Sébastien Bourdais crossed the Atlantic to compete for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. As a general rehearsal for the Centenary race, the 4-times ChampCar champion will take part in the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps due to be held this weekend. The Frenchman will co-drive the No.3 Cadillac with IMSA teammate Renger van der Zande and Jack Aitken. “It’s a great challenge for the whole team”, Sébastien says. “Our sights are set on the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s going to be an interesting and thrilling time.”
The legendary American manufacturer will therefore field two V-Series.R in the Ardennes. The No. 2, entrusted to Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook, competes in the Hypercar class for the 2023 FIA WEC. The trio finished fourth for the 1000 Miles of Sebring as well as for the 6 Hours of Portimão. Cadillac is set to improve by doubling their entries. “For Spa and Le Mans, with the No.2 and 3, we will try to investigate as many setup solutions as possible in order to generate as much grip as we can while putting the car in the aerodynamic window that allows it to maximize its top speed”, assessed Sébastien.
With no less than 15 entries for the 24 Hours of le Mans, the former Toro Rosso F1 driver knows all about the importance of a fast car in the Sarthe Circuit’s long straights. “If you’re not in on this speed-wise, it’s impossible to hope for a result at Le Mans”, reminds Sébastien. “If you can’t overtake traffic efficiently, whilst losing as little time as possible, you’re stuck and everything becomes more complicated. We’ll need to optimize the car. The Chip Ganassi Racing Team, thanks to their experience of GT Racing at Le Mans, is laser-focused and knows all about the challenges we will be facing.”
Last year, Sébastien took part in the development phase of the Dallara-chassied V.Series.R as a Cadillac Racing factory driver. The American LMDh has been successfully homologated only four months after its first shakedown. “Cadillac Racing delivered an extraordinary work to provide us with a car which is in the fight for wins, in IMSA at least. It is a great testament to the quality of work that has been achieved.”
As an experienced Endurance racer, Sébastien has drawn parallels between the LMP1 cars he drove with Team Peugeot Total as well as Pescarolo Sport in the early 2000s and the new breed of Hypercars. “The current prototypes are less performance-driven than the LMP1 were, but the feeling is not that different. The car is heavier and less efficient aerodynamic-wise.”
The Cadillac Racing driver paid tribute to the work done by FIA, IMSA and ACO in carrying out the overhaul of the FIA WEC’s premier class. Technical Hypercar regulations allow LMDh cars to compete in both WEC and IMSA championships. “Everybody in Endurance needed that and dreamt about that”, Sébastien lauds. ““Its a golden age for prototype Endurance racing. Every major carmakers will fight on track to win Le Mans. For drivers as well as fans, it’s a dream come true.”
A dream Sébastien intends to take part in. The 44-year-old Le Mans-born racer won’t hang his boots for the time being. “I don’t plan on stopping as long as I feel able to provide something positive to a racing program and as long as opportunities present themselves. Nothing gets me out of bed more than driving a race car !”
Interview conducted and written by Bastien Cheval
