Deletraz “Following Evolution” of Cadillac in “Non Stop” Driving

Photo: Andrea Lorenzina/DPPI

Louis Deletraz feels he has a high level of preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans after having been able to “follow the evolution” of the Cadillac V-Series.R over the last six weeks of a busy period of racing and testing.

The 29-year-old Swiss driver, who races full time with Wayne Taylor Racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, will make his second consecutive start in the No. 12 Hertz Team JOTA Cadillac, subbing for Alex Lynn again in the Hypercar entry.

Deletraz, the reigning LMP2 Pro-Am race winner, is set for his first top-class Le Mans outing since 2020 when he was part of Rebellion Racing’s LMP1 lineup.

“Obviously I’m very happy to go to Le Mans in the No. 12 car with Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA,” Deletraz told Sportscar365. “Having done Spa, we knew it was an option depending on how Alex recovers.

“I wish him all the best. I know he won’t be at Le Mans but I hope he will be all good soon.

“Having done Spa, integrating with the team, I was able to learn how JOTA works. It’s still a Cadillac but it’s a different team, so there were new people. But it was super helpful.

“I have to say it was a very smooth integration.

“I actually already knew about half of the team already from ex-TF Sport and racing against JOTA, I feel like I’ve been racing against Taka [Tomoki Takahashi, technical director] forever! They’ve always been hard to beat.”

With the late call-up to race Spa, plus a pre-Le Mans test at Silverstone alongside his IMSA GTP commitments, Deletraz said he feels as sharp as ever in the Dallara-chassied LMDh car, which he has driven every week since the beginning of May.

He said: “I’ve also been in the sim a lot, before Spa, after Spa, before Le Mans I was in the sim at Dallara in Italy, then [testing] at Silverstone. Last Wednesday I was in Charlotte for the sim for Detroit.

“We’ve been pretty much non-stop. But it’s actually really cool because I’ve been in the car two or three days each week since Laguna. That’s not every day you get to do this.

“That’s the advantage of having a double program. All the guys that do WEC and IMSA, you’re always in the car, always warmed up and there’s no surprise.

“You follow the evolution of the car.

“What’s really cool is that in Laguna we tested some things that went to Spa. Some stuff from Spa went to Silverstone. Some of the Silverstone stuff went to Detroit. It’s very helpful.”

When asked if he feels this could be Cadillac’s year for Le Mans glory, Deletraz said he feels upbeat on their chances.

“We all know that Le Mans is important, and like everyone, a big dream to win it from the Cadillac side,” he said.

“For sure the car will be competitive. Obviously the 24 hours is not only about pace but it’s about a lot of other things.

“I have a feeling this year is maybe the year that a LMDh can win. We have always had a very strong LMDh.

“We’ll have to take it day by day, build up, make a perfect race and see where we are after 24 hours.

“But JOTA has a very good record at Le Mans in the LMP2 years. I’m sure I’m in good hands to have a good weekend.”

In addition to the two season-long FIA World Endurance Championship entries from JOTA, Deletraz’s WeatherTech Championship squad, WTR, will be making its second Le Mans start in a solo Cadillac for Ricky and Jordan Taylor plus Filipe Albuquerque.

“For sure it will be different to race against WTR,” he said. “I’ve never done it, so we’ll see how it is. But we work very closely with each other.

“All the drivers have a good relationship. It’s cool that we’re all in the same garage.

“But obviously I want to win Le Mans. I’m very happy to be back in the top class so I will do everything to do it in the No. 12 car.

“I’m sorry if WTR has to be behind me but I know it’s racing. The ultimate goal is that Cadillac wins.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John