| No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R to start third in the eight-hour season finale |
| SAKHIR, Bahrain (Nov. 3, 2023) – The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R started the day at Bahrain International Circuit with a first — topping the lap time chart in free practice – and rounded out track time with its best qualifying position in its initial season of FIA World Endurance Championship competition. Alex Lynn recorded a lap time of 1 minute, 47.265 seconds in the hybrid Cadillac Racing entry on the challenging 5.412-kilometer (3.36-mile), 15-turn circuit to qualify third for the Eight Hours of Bahrain on Saturday. Cadillac Racing’s previous best in six races was fourth at Spa-Francorchamps in April. |
| “Excited and thrilled for the performance today,” GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser said. “Alex had a terrific drive. The team set it up and everyone has been working so closely together to get it sorted for Bahrain. Our goal was to finish on a high note here and we’re in process for doing it.” The stats: Cadillac Racing WEC qualifying The No. 2 Cadillac team of Lynn, Earl Bamber and Richard Westbrook is aiming to tap into the success it experienced at the start of the season, which included top-five finishes at Sebring, Portimão and Spa ahead of their podium finish in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Using the hard Michelin tire compound in the 15-minute session at sunset, Lynn took the provisional pole in the 12-car Hypercar field with 8:50 remaining. He totaled five laps before pitting and exiting the car with just under 5 minutes left. The No. 8 Toyota moved to the top in the final 6 minutes with a lap of 1:46.564. “It was a really positive day,” Lynn said. “We were quick on one lap and we’re quick on the long run, too. I’m proud of our team and we’re motivated to have a good day tomorrow.” |
| The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R began on-track preparations at Bahrain International Circuit with an impressive set of free practices. In the midday session preceding qualifications, Lynn’s lap of 1:49.512 was quickest of all Hypercars, which was a first for the program in a timed session. “Everyone has played the tire strategy differently, but I think we are in a good spot,” Lynn said following the session. Cadillac was third quick in the second session a day earlier under the lights and with cooler temperatures in the desert at 1:47.690. The initial session was interrupted early on by a 45-minute red flag period because of strong winds that blew banners onto the track at Turn 1, prompting race control to extend the session. Heavy rain with 30 minutes remaining also impacted the lap times. MotorTrend and MotorTrend Plus will provide both live television and streaming coverage of the race (2 p.m. Arabian Standard Time / 7 a.m. ET Saturday) in the U.S., as will the FIA WEC app. Radio Le Mans will stream coverage of the race. Additionally, watch the eight-hour race unfold from the driver’s point of view inside the No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R HERE. |
| What they’re saying Alex Lynn: “I think it was a really positive day. Quickest in free practice three, long-run pace looked really strong and consolidated with P3 in qualifying. Really happy for Cadillac Racing. The main thing I think is we’re quick on one lap and we’re quick on the long run. I’m proud of our team and motivated to have a good day tomorrow. I’m excited to have a good race because I think we’re going to have a good one and challenge for the podium.” Earl Bamber: “I think we rolled out with a good car and did our homework. I think this track suits us and we’re in the mix for that podium spot. Now we just need to do the final preparations and try to make that next little step to hopefully finish off the season well.” Richard Westbrook: “I’d say we’re in a much stronger position than we have been in the last few races. We seem to have good one-lap pace and good long-run pace. We all know Bahrain is very hard on the tires and it’s all about how you can preserve your tires better than your competitors. The car feels nice in old tire conditions when you’re lapping considerably a lot slower than you would on new tires. I’m really encouraged for the race and we’ll be going all out for a strong result.” |