WEC news: Ganassi team names Bourdais and van der Zande

Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) and Cadillac Racing announced today that the core drivers of the No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R, Earl Bamber and Alex Lynn, will be complemented by the additions of Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande and select CGR teammates throughout the upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship.

Bourdais will get the first crack at WEC competition, joining the No. 2 Cadillac team for the season-opening race in Qatar on March 2.

“When a team is fortunate enough to have such a strong stable of drivers to pull from, it just makes sense to utilize the talent when you have the opportunity,” said CGR Director of Operations Mike O’Gara. “Chip Ganassi Racing proved that in Daytona when we put Alex Palou in the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R. Putting Sebastien Bourdais in the No. 2 for the Qatar events is going to give him a chance to refamiliarize himself with the WEC rules and regulations. It is also going to allow us to strengthen the bond between the U.S.-based IMSA team and the Germany-based WEC team. We know it is going to strengthen both programs and better prepare us for our 2024 attack on the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R team placed fourth at Sebring International Raceway in its WEC debut last year, following up with a fourth place in Portugal and fifth at Spa-Francorchamps.

Cadillac Racing then made their triumphant return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans after a 21-year hiatus.

The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R, after advancing to compete in the Hyperpole qualifying at Circuit de Le Sarthe, launched from the sixth position and consistently held a position among the top-five contenders throughout the challenging 24-hour race. The performance from the No. 2 Cadillac team culminated in a third-place finish, securing Cadillac’s first-ever podium in the historic event.

Each Ganassi driver across the program has played an integral part in advancing the new Cadillac Hybrid that features the purpose-built 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team.

The Ganassi team will confirm the third driver ahead of certain endurance races, as they look to take the next step in their second season competing in the World Endurance Championship