Cadillac Racing Team Faces Adversity at Imola Circuit
In a weekend filled with challenges, the Cadillac racing team struggled at the FIA World Endurance Championship event held at Imola. The six-hour race saw the team facing multiple setbacks, leaving drivers feeling disheartened as they crossed the finish line behind their competitors, including the victorious Ferrari team.
Sebastien Bourdais, a member of the #38 Cadillac V-Series team, expressed the team’s sentiments, labeling the experience as a “tough and disappointing weekend.” The troubles began during qualifying, marred by incidents that hindered their performance on the track.
Driver Earl Bamber, starting in 15th position, initially showed promise by advancing to 12th place before a collision with the #94 Peugeot impacted their race. The unfortunate contact, initiated by Peugeot driver Loic Duval, resulted in a penalty for the Cadillac team. Despite efforts to recover, including strategic pit stops during safety car periods, the team finished in 16th place, with Jenson Button also contributing to the driving duties.
Reflecting on the challenging race, Bamber expressed disappointment, emphasizing the need for improved speed in future competitions. The team faced additional setbacks when Bamber received a penalty for an incident involving another Peugeot car, further widening the gap between them and their rivals.
On a slightly brighter note, the #12 Cadillac, driven by Alex Lynn, Norman Nato, and Will Stevens, managed to secure a single point for their 10th place finish. Despite this modest achievement, the drivers were unsatisfied with their overall performance, acknowledging the need for enhancements before the upcoming race at Spa.
Stevens, who started the race from ninth position, faced his own challenges, including penalties for rule violations during the event. The team’s perseverance paid off when Nato successfully navigated the car to a points-scoring finish, highlighting the importance of endurance and resilience in the face of adversity.
The drivers echoed a collective sentiment of determination to learn from the experience, emphasizing the team’s commitment to improvement and future success at races such as Spa and Le Mans. Despite the setbacks faced at Imola, the Cadillac racing team remains focused on honing their skills and aiming for stronger performances in the races to come.
