Cadillac aiming to keep momentum going on home soil

Here's the thing about endurance racing: speed gets you headlines, but finishing gets you trophies. Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA learned this the hard way over a comparatively fallow 12 months, but the Anglo-American alliance finally dragged themselves back to the FIA World Endurance Championship rostrum last time out in Brazil. Now, as the 2026 campaign resumes in Texas next weekend from 4-6 September, the squad is hungry to repeat the trick.

Over the opening three events of the season, the V-Series.R was unquestionably one of the fastest contenders in the headlining Hypercar field. Results, however, proved stubbornly hard to come by for a variety of reasons. Even in São Paulo, a commanding front row lockout in Hyperpole failed to convert into a second series victory. Still, a three-four finish represented a massive step in the right direction, and the GM-owned marque is eager to consolidate on home soil.

The #12 Cadillac features a fresh face for Austin. Double IMSA champion Ricky Taylor joins regular duo Will Stevens and Norman Nato, stepping in while Alex Lynn continues his recovery from surgery ahead of an anticipated comeback in Catalunya in October. Nato, who triumphed outright at the venue six years ago, welcomed the change: "COTA is such a nice circuit to drive, and I'm pleased to have Ricky joining us," he enthused. "He has a lot of experience, he knows the car very well and he's fresh from winning in IMSA, so I have no doubt he will be a great addition to the team."

Team-mate Stevens is equally optimistic about the weekend ahead. "It's always special racing for Cadillac in the US, and hopefully, we can keep the momentum going," Stevens echoed. "I've raced with Ricky many times in IMSA, so I'm sure he is going to fit in great with the team and will hit the ground running."

Over in the sister #38 Cadillac, Earl Bamber, Sébastien Bourdais, and Jack Aitken will head into battle as the trio chase their first podium appearance of the campaign. Aitken—the fastest driver during the 24 Hours of Le Mans Hyperpole session back in June—has done plenty of racing in North America recently, though he has never actually competed at COTA. Bourdais is US-based, and Bamber is a former winner at the circuit, much like Nato.