Bourdais: Cadillac LMDh “Already in the Window”

Photo: Rick Dole/IMSA

Sebastien Bourdais believes Cadillac’s new LMDh car is already “in the window” and admits it doesn’t feel a lot different to the Cadillac DPi-V.R, despite the increased weight and utilization of hybrid power.

The Chip Ganassi Racing driver, who has been part of the initial tests with the Dallara-chassied prototype, has been left with a positive impression despite still being at an early development phase.

Earl Bamber completed the car’s first shakedown at Putnam Park on July 7, with all four CGR drivers having gotten time in the test car during a five-day test at Sebring International Raceway later in the month.

“It’s been really exciting; the beginning of a new era,” said Bourdais.

“The car is really exciting to drive. The new powerplant, power units and everything that we have with the new regulations it’s a different package, a different balance between downforce, grip level and power.

“It’s quite cool and I was really excited to get in the car and quite pleased to see what the car was delivering. It’s quite amazing.

“You sit in a new car like that, in a completely different environment than what was done before, and obviously you have all the electronics and everything that you have to run through.

“The car was really well born. It just hit the track, we had not done any setup work and it was already quite fun to drive and the lap times were already quite interesting.

“I think we’re all quite excited and looking forward to the future.

“I was kind of expecting it to be quite different from the DPi and it’s really not all that different at least in terms of feel. Just looking forward to more progress and more miles in that car.”

Bourdais, who played a role in the development of the Peugeot 908 and Pescarolo LMP1 cars, said there’s no comparison between the two French prototypes to the Cadillac LMDh in terms of their starting points.

The 43-year-old Frenchman was also involved with the Ford GT program that ran from 2016-2019.

“Every new car is different, but I feel like there are some many more tools these days,” Bourdais said.

“Like the car runs complete with gearbox and engine and really pushes avenues to hit the ground running. The car hits the track and it’s already in the window.

“I’ve been part of development phases especially with Peugeot. That was really rough and raw and had to work a lot and make a ton of changes.

“This was completely different. The car was close and it felt right and it was a ton of fun and I’m looking forward to getting back in it.”

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