Cadillac Racing headed to Petit Le Mans with two race cars poised to take the trophy on October 14th, 2023, including the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R and No. 31 Cadillac V-Series.R. Both teams captured a championship win, ending the luxury marque’s eventful 2023 racing season on a high note.
The No. 31 V-Series.R, tag-teamed by Pipo Derani, Alexander Sims and Jack Aitken, went home with the inaugural GTP class trophy after a dramatic twist that tipped the race in Caddy’s favor. Racing against the Acura of Filipe Albuquerque, Derani, who was in control at the time, fended off his rival, who attempted a pass on the outside. The two race cars made contact, and Albuquerque spun, finding the wall and critically damaging the Acura race car. Derani was able to continue on, finishing sixth and snaring the GTP title.
“He was too optimistic trying to go around the outside,” Derani said of the incident with Albuquerque.
Meanwhile, the No. 01 V-Series.R – driven by Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande and Scott Dixon – took advantage of a risky pit strategy to gain valuable position during the race. This put them ahead of the No. 7 Porsche team, which decided to stay out for one more lap than the Caddy team, costing them precious positions while the V-Series.R finished far enough ahead to secure the factory championship for Cadillac.
“You can’t ask for better than straight As,” said Cadillac sportscar racing program manager, Laura Wontrop Klauser. “This program has been a challenge of resilience, and everyone has stepped up – all of the partners that are involved from GM, Dallara, our race teams, our hybrid-supplier partners. We delivered excellent results.”
She added, “It was not an easy year. We had our ups, and we had our downs. Ultimately our eyes were on the prize, and we were ready to seize any opportunity that was thrown at us.”
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