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Cadillac looks to extend Sebring win streak

Cadillac Racing prototypes have won the past three races, five since 2017
DETROIT (March 12, 2024) – Cadillac Racing will seek to translate the positive vibes from its strong showing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season opener into a fourth consecutive victory and sixth since 2017 in the 72nd Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Cadillac this weekend. The No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R, which earned the pole with a track-record lap time and finished a close second in the Rolex 24 At Daytona in January, is the defending Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) champion of the race at Sebring International Raceway, which initially was the site of a World War II training base and hosted its first automobile event in 1950.
“I think Sebring is just one of the greats in our sport – a great event, great track and great environment,” said Pipo Derani, who drove to the pole start in 2023 and followed with his fourth victory in the race. “There is so much heritage and so much character as well. Every driver that goes through the race for the first time is amazed at how much the race throws back at you.”Cadillac, presenting sponsor of the race, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the V-Series lineup of vehicles. More
Media resources* Event guide: Cadillac storylines, bios, stats and more* Preview: Pipo Derani media Zoom call transcript* Wins: Cadillac Racing results 2023-2017 at Sebring* 2024 so far: Cadillac IMSA GTP statistics* All-time: Cadillac Racing numbers in all series
Derani will team with Jack Aitken and Tom Blomqvist in attempting to repeat their 2023 fortunes and increase their advantage in the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup standings. Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande and Scott Dixon return to drive the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R, which started second in the 24-hour race at Daytona International Speedway and qualified on the front row at Sebring in ’23.
Both teams participated in a two-day test on the 3.741-mile, 17-turn course in February that included laps under the lights. “Your car has to be good at the end of the race. We were able to test at night, and that was where we focused making the car good in the dark when the track temps drop,” said Mike O’Gara, director of operations for the Chip Ganassi Racing-run No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R that will carry a special livery celebrating Mobill 1’s 50th anniversary. Added Derani, referring to the start of the second season of the hybrid GTP racecar: “We have a lot more understanding of what we need and the route we need to follow to achieve better results. And that’s the beauty of the sport because it’s always evolving but it still seems like everyone is right with you, so you have to keep yourself on your toes all the time to find an edge. “In our type of racing it’s not only about one-lap speed, but it’s a lot more about the team, a lot more about having a good car for different phases of a race. That’s when you start seeing details matter and pay dividends. I think we’re in a phase where we understand more what we need from the car, which gives us hope that we’ll improve on things that we want to improve upon from previous years. We’ll continue to work hard.”
Peacock will provide flag-to-flag streaming coverage beginning at 9:30 a.m. ET Saturday, March 16. USA Network’s telecast is from 4-10 p.m. IMSA Radio’s race broadcast begins at 9:30 a.m. on IMSA.com and RadioLeMans.com along with Sirius channel 211, XM 207, Web/App 996, at the track at 100.9 FM, and Sebring station 99.1 FM).
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Cadillac V-Series
In addition to being the presenting sponsor of the main event, Cadillac is the Official Luxury Vehicle of Sebring International Raceway and is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its V-Series sub-brand that was unveiled during the Twelve Hours of Sebring. The 2025 Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, which was the Official Safety Car of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, is the official Safety Car of the Michelin Pilot Challenge race. Spectators have the opportunity to see the exciting roster of Cadillac vehicles, including the award-winning CT5-V Blackwing and Cadillac Escalade, at the Cadillac display in the Fan Zone. Hours are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday.
What the Cadillac Racing drivers are saying
No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.RSebastien Bourdais: “It seems to be a bit of feast or famine at Sebring, so I hope it’s feast this time. It’s a track that I really enjoy and have been plenty competitive. I’ve had the honor and pleasure to win it twice. It’s a grueling race that is rewarding if you get it right. I feel like we’ve been the class of the field the last two years, and it would be really good if we could put one of the board for Cadillac and that’s what we’re shooting for. With how strong the competition is, we are good in any conditions. We’re going to prepare to react the best we can whatever comes our way.”
Renger van der Zande: “Sebring is my favorite race weekend of the year and it’s more special this year with the 100 starts. It’s a proud moment. It’s a track that suits me very well and it also suits my teammates. We’ve always been fast there. It’s one of the roughest, toughest races to win. I’ve never been able to win it, but I’ve been close so many times. We have a really strong lineup for the endurance races, and it’s also good to see the momentum on the WEC side with the car finishing really well at Qatar.”Scott Dixon: “I love that race. We’ve led many times but never have gotten the finish that we would have liked. Last year, the Cadillac had tremendous speed. I think at some point we had over a 50-second lead, so hopefully we can keep some of the performance we had last year and what we all would like is grab a win there. It would be special for me. Can’t wait to get going.”
No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R
Pipo Derani: “After our second place in the Rolex 24, we’re confident going into Sebring. (Second year of GTP) “We have a lot more understanding of what we need and the route we need to follow to achieve better results. And that’s the beauty of the sport because it’s always evolving but it still seems like everyone is right with you, so you have to keep yourself on your toes all the time to find an edge. In our type of racing, it’s not only about one-lap speed, but it’s a lot more about the team, a lot more about having a good car for different phases of a race. That’s when you start seeing details matter and pay dividends. I think we’re in a phase where we understand more what we need from the car, which gives us hope that we’ll improve on things that we want to improve upon from previous years. We’ll continue to work hard.”Jack Aitken: (2023 win at Sebring, driving the final stint to take the checkered flag) “If you cross the line first, then you deserve to win. It was quite an exciting finish. We were keeping its fairly cool and calm and doing the best job we could with the package that we had, and the fact that it came to us is kind of payback for the times that it didn’t go our way. (2024 as full-season driver) “I’ll be seeing some tracks for the first time and have the amazing Pipo Derani as my teammate full time. Grateful for the opportunity and looking forward to helping the team repeat, which is the hardest thing to do.”
Tom Blomqvist: “Unlike my new teammates, I haven’t been fortunate enough to win that race or even been on the podium. It is a big bucket list sort of race that I would love to add to the CV and I have a great opportunity this year to do it with this team. They have proven time and time again that they are super competitive there, always fighting for the victory. I’m really excited to go to that race because it is one of the big ones. A lot of history of that race. The circuit is unique and the fans are all crazy. When we go there we’ll be fighting for the victory. Hopefully we can be at the right spot at the right time. It’s a goal.”