Vesti Steps Up to Full Season Drive With Action Express

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Frederik Vesti will step into a full season role with Action Express Racing, with Earl Bamber moved to a Michelin Endurance Cup-only capacity in the team’s Cadillac V-Series.R in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship next year.

Confirmed on Thursday, Vesti will team up with newly crowned GTP champion Jack Aitken in the Whelen-sponsored Cadillac for all nine rounds.

While a reason was not given for the swapping of positions, it’s believed to not have both season-long Action Express drivers also as full-time pilots in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

It was also announced on Thursday that Ricky Taylor will be embarking on his first full WEC season with Cadillac Herta Team JOTA, which would have meant three Cadillac drivers on dual full-time campaigns.

“Obviously, 2026 was an incredible year altogether,” said Vesti. “I’m very motivated and very excited to be back with Action Express, but in a full-time capacity doing all nine rounds of IMSA.

“That’s always been part of the plan with the Whelen Cadillac team, a few learning years and then finally stepping up to fight for the championship, which I can’t wait.

“We are keeping consistency in the team, which means a lot to me.

“I think we are by far the strongest driver line up on the grid and I’m looking forward to continuing that journey.

“Thank you to Gary Nelson, the whole Action Express team, and of course, GM and Whelen Cadillac for the extension and very excited for the future.”

Team manager Gary Nelson added: “We are very pleased with our driver lineup, and we kept it the same for 2027 with the only change being Fred moving to full time and Earl doing the endurance races.

“We think so highly of all three guys, and they delivered a championship for the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac. We are looking forward to defending our championships and I can’t think of a better way to do that than a great run in the 2027 Rolex 24 at Daytona.”

A fourth driver at Action Express for the season-opening Rolex 24 at Daytona will be announced at a later date.

Cadillac also confirmed an unchanged lineup for the pair of Wayne Taylor Racing entries, with Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque back in the No. 10 Cadillac, and Louis Deletraz and Jordan Taylor continuing in the No. 40 entry, as expected.

Will Stevens and Norman Nato will complete the lineups in the cars for the endurance races.

“Continuity is key and I’m excited to be returning in 2027 with the same driver lineup,” said team co-owner Wayne Taylor.

“Delighted to welcome Norman Nato back in the No. 40 cockpit and will lean on the knowledge that he will bring to us from WEC.

“Given our win and double podium at Road America and additional podiums at Detroit and Petit, I feel confident that we have the right mix of drivers and am excited to go testing.”

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