Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA Prepares for Lone Star Le Mans at COTA
As the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) heads to the Circuit of The Americas (COTA) for the sixth round, Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA’s Earl Bamber is poised for a strong outing. Bamber, alongside Sébastien Bourdais and Jenson Button, enters the event with a solid momentum, including a second-place finish in São Paulo and a seventh at Le Mans.
Recent Performance
Cadillac’s impressive form has propelled the manufacturer to second in the constructors’ standings, following its first-ever WEC 1-2 finish in São Paulo. Bamber emphasizes the team’s growing confidence: “COTA really suits the Cadillac. The high-speed esses play to our strengths.” He aims to maintain pressure in the top five and capitalize on upcoming events, particularly with Fuji next on the schedule.
Home Advantage
The upcoming race not only serves as a critical point in the championship but also as a significant home event for Cadillac. "It’s super important to be in America. COTA’s atmosphere is incredible," Bamber noted, highlighting expected fan support that he believes will enhance team morale.
Technical Insights
This season marks JOTA’s first full campaign with Cadillac machinery. Bamber states that the team has improved significantly since their debut at Qatar earlier this year. "A 1-2 in qualifying at Le Mans, fastest lap of the race—the pace is there," he added, indicating a quick adaptation to the Cadillac V-Series.R.
The collaboration among Cadillac’s partner teams, including Action Express and Wayne Taylor Racing, has also played a key role in performance enhancement. "The openness between all the Cadillac teams has really ramped up performance. We’re not finished yet; maybe we’re just warming up," Bamber remarked.
Dual Campaign Strides
Competing in both WEC and IMSA GTP with Action Express, Bamber believes the knowledge gained in IMSA directly benefits his WEC efforts. While still pursuing a podium with the AXR team, he remains focused on leveraging that experience to strengthen their WEC prospects.
As Bamber steps into the Lone Star Le Mans, he recognizes the race as more than just another event. "We see COTA as a key springboard for the run-in to the WEC season finale in Bahrain," he concluded, underscoring the strategic importance of this weekend’s race.
Conclusion
With higher stakes than usual at COTA, Bamber and the #38 Cadillac team are set for a crucial race. Their confidence, home advantage, and strategic insights could pave the way for a noteworthy performance in this pivotal championship phase.
