Sims Hopes to Rediscover Form in GTD Pro After GTP Struggles

Alexander Sims says he’s hoping to rediscover his past form in his new role as a factory Corvette Racing driver in 2024 after struggling in the Cadillac GTP ranks last year.

Despite winning last year’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship title alongside Action Express Racing Cadillac co-driver Pipo Derani, Sims is making the unusual step to GTD Pro competition for the new season with Corvette.

The Briton was named as one of four full-time drivers for the Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports effort for the WeatherTech Championship, and will share the cockpit of the No. 3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R with veteran Antonio Garcia.

Sims previously served as a third driver for Corvette in the GTLM class in 2021, and was brought back on board for the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2022.

Explaining the move away from GTP competition, Sims was candid about his difficulties getting to grips with the Cadillac V.Series-R and is confident of a stronger performance in 2024 with sister brand Corvette.

“It’s great to be back with Pratt Miller and to be driving a GT car again,” Sims told Sportscar365. “Hopefully I can re-find a little bit of the form I had in those cars. 

“There was something about the GTP car, in whatever state I drove it, I knew I wasn’t getting the most out of the car. 

“It seemed to become more of a problem when they switched to the 2023 tires. When I tested on the 2022 tires, it didn’t seem to be such an issue. But anyway, it’s done now. 

“I’m amazed to have won the championship, but a lot of people had tough years and we were somehow able to come out on top. 

“Hopefully things feel a bit more natural this year.”

Sims says he has had no trouble so far getting back up to speed in GT machinery, having made a one-off outing in the Nürburgring 24 with the Phoenix Audi team last year.

Asked about getting used to having to let by faster cars again, he joked: “I was watching my mirrors a fair bit last year, because I was so bloody slow!”

He continued: “I don’t think I’m a slow codger (elderly person) who can’t do anything any more. It just frustrates the hell out of me how things went last year. 

“I don’t know why things weren’t great. But it should be ok this year.”