JOTA Completes First Test With Cadillac V-Series.R

Photo: Lizzie Brooks

Hertz Team JOTA has completed the first full-scale test with the Cadillac V-Series.R ahead of its two-car factory campaign in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The three-day outing at Circuit Paul Ricard saw all six of its 2025 WEC drivers — Earl Bamber, Sebastien Bourdais, Jenson Button, Alex Lynn, Norman Nato and Will Stevens sample a freshly built Cadillac V-Series.R LMDh car.

While the car was previously shaken down at a small, undisclosed circuit, the Paul Ricard running marked the car’s first significant mileage with the British team, which has switched from Porsche 963s for the 2025 season.

An additional on-track outing will take place before the WEC Prologue in Qatar.

“I think it’s been a good first test and the relationship with Cadillac and GM and Dallara has been really well,” said team manager Bob Friend. “We’re learning each other’s’ language and getting over that first day at school stuff.

“The driver feedback sounds like it relates well to where the car is right now. It’s a new language of a car so there are a lot of things to learn.

“The reason we brought so many people to this test is so we learn it quickly and when we go to the next test it’s all muscle memory and we’ll get further down the road. This test, from my point of view, is about relationships and car understanding and how to put a time together with that car.

“The next step is two cars running at the same time for at least a bit, making sure that we don’t step on each other’s toes.”

Bamber added: “I think JOTA is bringing a new energy to the Cadillac project. They have a lot of knowledge. They know how to win races so it’s great to see.

“We’d like another ten days of testing before we get to Qatar, but we’re limited, so this is the first big block to gain information to then head over into the short Christmas break, do our homework and go to the next test.”

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