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Cadillac’s prospective entry into Formula One with Andretti Global is on hold until at least 2028. However, Cadillac will be well represented at another one of motorsports’ biggest stages this year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), which organizes the famed endurance race, has given Cadillac three invitations for joining the 2024 24 Hours grid. The Cadillac V-Series.R hybrid race cars first competed in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) Hypercar competition last season. It was the brand’s first appearance at Le Mans since 2002. Cadilliac will look to secure another podium and gun for the overall win with a star-studded driver lineup.

Cadillac Racing announced the No. 2 Cadillac will be piloted by Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and two-time IndyCar champion Alex Palou. The No. 2 placed third overall in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The team earned four top-five finishes in its debut WEC season.

The No. 3 will be piloted by Le Mans class champion, Indy 500 winner and former F1 driver Sebastian Bourdais. He’s joined by sportscar racing veteran Renger van der Zande and six-time IndyCar champ Scott Dixon.

Cadillac V-Series.R 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans entries
Cadillac V-Series.R 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans entries | Cadillac

The No. 31 Whelen Cadillac of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is also scheduled to run. Pipo Derani and Jack Aitken and a TBD-driver will pilot the entry. The No. 31 won the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s GTP title in 2023. The Whelen Cadillac placed second in this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona endurance race.

Cadillac entered two V-Series.R hybrid hypercars in 2023, earning third and fourth overall behind Ferrari and Toyota. It was the first podium finish for the automaker.

Cadillac’s history at Le Mans began in 1950 with privateer teams. Cadillac’s Northstar LMP program entered several cars between 2000-02. The best finish recorded in all three years of the event was ninth overall.

The brand’s announced return to Le Mans comes after its entry into Formula One with Andretti Global was denied, at least for now, earlier this year. F1’s governing body ruled in January Andretti Global cannot join the grid until General Motors’ Cadillac-branded powertrain is approved for use. GM registered with the FIA last year to become an engine supplier beginning in 2028.

F1 said it “would look differently” on a later application of a GM power unit entry for the 2028 season. It argued upcoming rules changes would require Andretti Global to use another manufacturer prior to GM’s completion of a competition-ready unit. Formula One also argued it didn’t believe Andretti Global “would be a competitive participant.”

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MotorBiscuit Contributing Writer

Joe Parker

Joe Parker is an expert in new cars, trucks, and SUVs — particularly their driving dynamics, features, and real-world pragmatism — gleaning his first-hand perspectives through his testing and reviewing of hundreds of new models since 2018.

His motorsports coverage reflects his hands-on hours behind the wheel. A recipient of over 20 awards from several state and national journalism associations, Joe is a member of the Greater Atlanta Automotive Media Association (GAAMA) and the Southeast Region Automotive Media Association (SERAMA).