Deletraz: WTR in “Good Shape” for Return to Form at Sebring

Photo: Jamey Price Photography/WTR

Louis Deletraz believes Wayne Taylor Racing now has all of the ingredients for a return to form in the second year of it Cadillac GTP program.

Deletraz and co-drivers Jordan Taylor and Colton Herta head into this weekend’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring seeking their first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship victory in two years, with the trio having been triumphant in the Florida endurance classic in 2024 at the the wheel of their Acura ARX-06.

The switch to the Cadillac V-Series.R last year brought a winless season to the two-car organization as it struggled to adapt to the Dallara-chassied LMDh car, although the team scored its first-ever double podium in the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen.

“Last year, the switch of manufacturer, going from Acura to Cadillac, [there was] a lot of new people, a lot of new things to learn, and a new car for everyone,” said Deletraz. “So that took time to get together.

“We were pretty much behind every other team who knew the cars already. So, in such a competitive field, it’s hard to catch up.

“But you can already see starting this year, [at] Daytona, it’s just so much easier to work together. You know where to focus, where you need to performance from.

“I think straight from that, we were more competitive in Daytona. Unfortunately, on the 40 side we had an issue during the night. So, we lost pace at the end of the race, so we couldn’t fight for it.

“But I’m very confident this year should be a lot better.

“It feels like it, you’re speaking with engineers, with people at Cadillac, you just feel the ease and performance comes straight away from that. So now what we need to unlock, we need to keep working on those areas.

“Obviously, everyone, all the manufacturers keep improving. We cannot just rest on what we know. And we will push the limit of everything.

“I think we’re learning about this new package. All the evos Cadillac brought, which are for us positive, bringing consistency. And again, when we go to a track like Sebring with all the bumps, it should be positive for us.”

WTR, and the No. 40 car in particular, underwent a significant engineering change at January’s Roar Before the Rolex 24, which Deletraz said he already borne fruit, with the team’s longtime technical director Brian Pillar now taking a more focused role on the No. 40 Cadillac.

“It’s never easy when there’s new people, but, new doesn’t mean bad,” said Deletraz. “We have a lot of very talented people and I feel it’s pretty cool to meet and get new ideas.

“There have been almost no tweaks [for Sebring], to be honest, or even at Daytona.

“Brian was on the radio, he’s very experienced. He’s been in the team forever… plus all the new people we have.

“But I think it’s pretty normal. It’s such a big program. And so many people which means a lot of turnover, but for sure, as we were saying, stability is key. We also needed some fresh blood after last year wasn’t easy.

When asked if he feels the right ingredients are there for a return to victory lane, Deletraz said he remains upbeat.

“I thought it was really a great weekend [at Daytona], he said. “Again, we had a little issue at the end, which happens in 24 hours since we lost pace. But I really think we’re strong until then. I guess we’ll never know.

“We’ll find out at Sebring, but, I do think that we’re in good shape and in good hands. I feel very supported. I think there’s great communication, which, again, in those cars, is crucial.”

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