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Cadillac at São Paulo: Historic victory

Nos. 12, 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.Rs finish 1st and 2nd in WEC raceSAO PAULO, Brazil (July 13, 2025) – A month ago, it was pole at Le Mans. Today, it’s victory at Sāo Paulo.
The milestones are historic firsts and statements of first-year Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA’s arrival among the Hypercar elite programs in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
The No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R driven by Alex Lynn, Norman Nato and Will Stevens took the checkered flag of the Rolex 6 Hours of Sāo Paulo with the sister No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R driven by Earl Bamber, Sebastien Bourdais and Jenson Button following in second place for another first in program and WEC history – the first 1-2 by a U.S. manufacturer in the LMP1/Hypercar class.
“Congratulations to the Cadillac Racing team and the No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R on their victory in the Rolex 6 Hours of Sāo Paulo. Every member of the team can be very proud of their efforts on preparing the racecar for success, from both a technology and durability standpoint,” said John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac.
The breakthrough result on the 4.409 km (2.677-mile), 15-turn Autódromo José Carlos Pace – commonly known as Interlagos – s Cadillac Racing’s 32nd victory in the WEC and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship since joining prototype competition in 2017. Cadillac Racing has 235 podiums (IMSA/WEC) and 32 poles in that span.In its third season of WEC Hypercar competition, Cadillac Racing’s previous best result was third in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023 with Lynn, Bamber and Richard Westbrook sharing the driving duties. JOTA Sport, in its first season as a factory program and celebrating its silver anniversary in motorsports, previously won at Spa-Francorchamps in 2024 with another manufacturer. It was a dominating performance by the twin hybrid Cadillacs and their respective crews, including Stevens setting the fastest lap of the race (1:24.498) on Lap 3. Lynn started on pole in the 18-car Hypercar field for the second consecutive race, with the top spot at Circuit de la Sarthe in June another first for Cadillac and the first for a U.S. brand since 1967. Bourdais had qualified second in Hyperpole – only 0.100 of a second arrears – but was docked on spot on the starting grid because of a stewards’ decision for impeding another car in the 12-minute qualifying session.
After relinquishing the point on the first lap, the Nos. 12 and 38 rose to the fore late in the first hour and ran 1-2 for extended periods throughout the race – most importantly at the finish. Following its final pit stop for four tires and energy, the No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA traded spots with the front-running sister car when it pitted on Lap 206 with 52 minutes left. The No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R returned to second a lap later when the No. 6 Porsche 963 came down pit lane.
Combined, the Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA entries led 165 of 242 laps.
Cadillc Hertz Team JOTA is back in action Sept. 5-7 at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas, where Lynn and Bamber drove to a fourth-place finish in 2024.
Cadillac total victories in all classes/series: 71Cadillac victories in IMSA since 2017: 31Cadillac victories in WEC since 2023: 1Cadillac total podiums in all classes/series: 235  IMSA GTP (17)  IMSA DPi (84)  FIA WEC (3)  World Challenge (126)  American Le Mans Series (5)Prototype poles since 2017: 3229 (IMSA)3 (WEC)
Media resources* Photos for editorial use | * Cadillac 2025 WEC stats | * Cadillac all-stime stats
What they’re saying
Keely Bosn, Cadillac Racing program manager: “Today, Cadillac showed real grit and pace. Securing a 1‑2 finish at Interlagos is a statement. The No. 12 led the way, with the No. 38 right behind, proving the strength of our team and cars. This kind of consistency only comes from world-class engineering and well-executed strategies. It wasn’t just a win on the track — it was a win in the garage, in the data room, and in every detail of our race prep this season. A magnificent day for Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA in Brazil.”
Sam Hignett, co-founder and director: “It’s a fantastic start. Five races in, to have a first and second in the Brazil WEC six hours is great. It’s very important that we acknowledge, you know, there are six guys driving cars, did an amazing job. The team on the ground here did an amazing job. But there’s hundreds of people behind the scenes at JOTA, at GM, Cadillac, Dallara. All this credit needs to go to them as well, because without them we wouldn’t be where we are today. The Spa victory is special because it was our first win. We had a huge dose of luck, which enabled the win at Spa. This, we genuinely won on pace. To not only win it, but finish second as well, it was fantastic.”
David Clark, co-founder and director: “After an incredible qualifying in Le mans with a historic front row lockout and very convincing qualifying yesterday in Brazil, the 1-2 finish today in Sao Paulo is absolute testimony to the phenomenal teamwork of everyone at Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA. Sam and I could not be prouder of every single individual who has contributed to this breathtaking performance. Without doubt, our huge gratitude goes to General Motors, Cadillac for their trust in us. And a special thank you to our partners at Knighthead, Hertz, Mobil 1, and the whole JOTA family. Their passion and belief in us has been rewarded today. To be the first team to win with two manufacturers in a little over a year is also a huge honor and a clear indicator that we’re getting something very right. It genuinely doesn’t get any better than this.”
No. 12 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R
Alex Lynn: “Honestly, this is now year number three of me racing this car and year number four of driving it. And, personally, it’s a huge sense of satisfaction. You know, it’s been a huge journey with Cadillac and to finally win a race of the WEC Championship is special. It’s been a lot of hours driving the car and a lot of hours working on it and it means everything.”
Norman Nato:  It’s honestly quite impressive, like the progress we’re doing. Since Imola, we keep improving. Fourth at Le Mans was good; obviously, we want more. Le Mans was already quite a strong performance for such a new team that we are in today. One, two, with the two Cadillacs and first win for myself as well. Cadillac and JOTA have been working on this car for already some years and for everyone involved in this; to have this kind of moment today is special It’s just the beginning. We’re going to keep pushing, but big thanks for everyone. We’re going to enjoy this one.”
Will Stevens: “Honestly, it’s just amazing for everyone in this program. Obviously, to get Cadillac’s first win for us in the 12 car is pretty special. But, obviously, for us as JOTA as well and carrying on the tradition of getting wins every year, I think super special. So, this is only the beginning of a long program we have together. A goal for this year was to obviously make sure we win a race, but we have even bigger aspirations to keep on winning races and tick off the big boxes that we want to take in this program. So very special.”
No. 38 Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA V-Series.R
Earl Bamber: “I think for the program, what everyone’s worked for, since the very beginning in 2022, and what is it, now to get our first one-two in the WEC – and a first for Cadillac — and so it’s a proud moment for everyone. We’ve had a tough season on the 38 car, so to get second place is great and it’s amazing job by the 12 guys.”
Sebastien Bourdais: “Just really happy for the boys, for the team, for Hertz and obviously for Cadillac and everybody involved because it’s been a lot of work and it’s the first time that we kind of came together in the race. It’s definitely a good feeling. Earl did an amazing job and then Jensen did as well. And then, when I got in the car, I really got into a really, really poor sequence of traffic and lapped cars and it was really difficult. I think I really hurt the tires just in dirty air in general, and then I really struggled to get into a rhythm. It was a really hard battle, but we got it done and got our first podium.” 
Jenson Button: “It’s been a very emotional year in terms of a roller coaster, but to finally get a one-two for this amazing team is special. Really proud of everyone. They’ve worked so hard. The partnership between JOTA and Cadillac just shows how we’ve gelled and we’re one big family. Well done to the 12 car for the win … untouchable. But I enjoyed it out there. The car worked really well and it’s the best cars I’ve had all year. So, long may it continue and congratulations to Cadillac and Hertz Team JOTA.”