Alex Palou
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WEC News: Palou to make Le Mans debut with Ganassi team

Posted by AR1 staff

Two-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou will make his Le Mans debut this year as part of Cadillac Racing’s GTP line-up. His CGR teammate and six-time IndyCar champion Scott Dixon will return to Le Mans in the team’s sister car.

Chip Ganassi Racing and Cadillac will return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June to challenge for the overall victory with their Cadillac V-Series.R hybrid race cars supported by experienced and championship-winning drivers.

Taking turns behind the wheel of the blue No. 2 Cadillac will be Le Mans winners Earl Bamber and Alex Lynn, partnering with reigning two-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou. Meanwhile, the yellow No. 3 Cadillac will be piloted by Le Mans Winner and four-time INDYCAR champion Sebastien Bourdais, alongside two-time Rolex 24 At Daytona winner Renger van der Zande and six-time INDYCAR champion Scott Dixon.

It is the second consecutive year that Cadillac Racing has received three invitations from event organizer Automobile Club de l’Quest to compete in the classic endurance race.

“Chip Ganassi Racing is honored to be able to return to Le Mans to represent Cadillac Racing with our two Cadillac V-Series.R racecars,” said CGR’s Director of Operations Mike O’Gara. “Finishing third and fourth overall in 2023 proved that we were ready to compete with the car on the world stage. Over the last year, CGR has continued to refine the V-Series.R, and we will be at Circuit de la Sarthe this June to compete again for the overall win. We are fortunate to be able to bring the best drivers and crew in the world to represent the Cadillac brand in one of the most significant races in the motorsports.”

Alex Palou
Alex Palou

Notes of Interest:

  • The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R placed third in the centenary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year, while the No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R finished fourth. The podium finish marked the best-ever result for Cadillac Racing in the historic endurance race.
  • The six Chip Ganassi Racing drivers boast a combined total of 40 career starts in the illustrious 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Among them, Bourdais leads with 16 starts, followed by Bamber with 7, Lynn and van der Zande each with 6 and Dixon with 5. Palou is gearing up for his debut Le Mans outing after showcasing his speed in the Cadillac V-Series.R during last month’s Rolex 24 At Daytona weekend, having delivered the second-quickest lap time (1:35.589) among all drivers.
  • The Cadillac V-Series.R design — codeveloped by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and chassis constructor Dallara — was informed by the Project GTP Hypercar that was unveiled in June 2022. The racecar incorporates distinctive Cadillac design elements, such as vertical lighting and floating blades.
  • The Cadillac V-Series.R features a purpose-built Cadillac 5.5L DOHC V-8 engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing Propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan.
  • The first Cadillacs raced at Le Mans were entered by privateers Briggs Cunningham and Miles and Sam Collier in 1950. Both Series 61 coupes cars were powered by the Cadillac 5.4-liter OHV V-8 engine.

Earl Bamber:
“I’m looking forward to going back to Le Mans. We want to improve on where we were last year, which was on the podium. I think we have all the potential to do it with Cadillac and Chip Ganassi Racing. I’m also looking forward to having Alex join our crew. He’s been quite formidable in INDYCAR and he’ll be a great addition to our team in one of the biggest races in the world.”

Alex Palou:
“Going to Le Mans is an amazing opportunity and a big challenge, as well. It’s only a couple of hours from my home and obviously it is one of the biggest races alongside the Indianapolis 500 and Daytona where you want to participate but also win. We have a chance to win it overall and that is our biggest goal. I’m excited to be back in the Cadillac and join Earl Bamber and Alex Lynn. They had success there last year and the cars were quite fast, so with our recent pace at Daytona, I can’t wait to go there and win.”

Sebastien Bourdais:
“I’m quite excited to be able to announce that we’ll be back at Le Mans in the No. 3 Cadillac. Obviously, it’s a huge challenge but we’ve had some very promising findings and learnings from last year. I think we definitely have a very competitive car with our Cadillac V-Series.R to be able to contend. Hopefully, we can give it a shot to get that win that is missing on my resume. It’s obviously one that means a ton to me and I’m looking forward to going back there to give it another go.”

Scott Dixon:
“I love this race; it’s one of the biggest and the toughest in the world. We all know it is definitely a privilege to even be invited, so I’m excited to go back with Sebastien, Renger, Cadillac and everybody involved. I feel like the team did a tremendous job last year. We had some issues here and there but to go third and fourth was pretty spectacular. Hopefully, we can have a closer fight this year but it’s one I love to do. I’m very fortunate to be able to do this with the team and to be a part of it.”

Renger van der Zande:
“I think it’s amazing what we did this past year with the Cadillac program finishing third and fourth. That was a testament to the development and everyone’s hard work. I’m looking forward to attacking a classic in Le Mans. We have really strong teammates, really strong teams in Chip Ganassi Racing and Cadillac and partners to make this all work to go for the win. That’s our goal; we are there to win.”