News Summary

Cadillac has promoted Frederik Vesti to a full-time IMSA GTP seat for 2027, replacing Earl Bamber alongside reigning champion Jack Aitken in the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R. The decision, announced on Thursday, October 15, represents the principal change to the manufacturer’s North American prototype programme after its championship-winning 2026 campaign.

Vesti, the former Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver and 2023 Formula 2 runner-up, has spent the past two seasons competing primarily in endurance events for Action Express Racing. He will now contest all nine IMSA GTP rounds, while Bamber moves into a reduced programme focused on the Michelin Endurance Cup.

The New Zealander is not leaving Cadillac. He remains part of the No. 31 crew for the longer IMSA races and will continue representing the manufacturer in the World Endurance Championship, but the decision ends his status as Aitken’s regular partner in the American series.

Cadillac’s announcement follows a successful season in which Aitken secured the IMSA GTP Drivers’ Championship, while the No. 31 Whelen entry claimed the teams’ title and Cadillac won the manufacturers’ championship.

The change also reflects Vesti’s progression within the organisation, having already substituted for Bamber in selected shorter races when the New Zealander faced conflicting commitments.

Vesti follows Aitken’s path from F1 ambitions to IMSA

The 24-year-old Dane arrives at his first full IMSA season after building experience in both single-seater racing and sports cars.

Vesti finished runner-up to Théo Pourchaire in the 2023 Formula 2 championship and subsequently became a Mercedes Formula 1 reserve driver. Although he completed tests and simulator duties for the team, he never secured a Formula 1 race start.

His transition into endurance racing began with an LMP2 appearance at Petit Le Mans in 2024, followed by a Cadillac GTP programme that expanded during 2025 and 2026.

Vesti’s development has followed a path similar to Aitken’s. The British driver also emerged from Formula 2 and Formula 1 reserve duties before establishing himself in endurance racing, eventually becoming a full-time Cadillac driver and winning the 2026 IMSA title.

The Dane said he was eager to take the next step after two seasons of preparation.

“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,” Vesti said.

He also expressed confidence in the team’s ability to defend its titles.

“I think we are by far the strongest driver line up on the grid,” he added.

The promotion means Vesti will race at every IMSA GTP venue in 2027. Detroit is the only circuit on the nine-round calendar where he has not previously competed in the class.

Why Bamber loses his full-season IMSA seat

Bamber’s move to an endurance-only programme comes after a season in which his Cadillac commitments were divided between IMSA and the WEC.

The New Zealander missed the Long Beach round in April because of a clash with his world championship duties, allowing Vesti to substitute alongside Aitken.

That absence had a direct effect on the drivers’ championship. Although all three contributed to the No. 31 Cadillac’s success, Aitken was the only member of the crew to contest every IMSA round and therefore the only driver to accumulate enough points to secure the full-season title.

As GRANDE PRÊMIO explained in its analysis of Aitken’s unusual championship victory, sharing a race-winning car does not automatically give teammates identical championship totals.

Action Express Racing general manager Gary Nelson emphasised that the decision was not a rejection of Bamber’s contribution.

“We think so highly of all three guys, and they delivered a championship for the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac,” Nelson said.

The team will therefore retain the same three principal drivers, but their responsibilities will change. Vesti and Aitken will pursue the overall GTP championship, with Bamber strengthening the crew during endurance events.

A fourth driver for the 2027 Rolex 24 At Daytona will be announced later.

Cadillac retains Wayne Taylor Racing line-ups for 2027

Cadillac will again enter three V-Series.R prototypes across Action Express Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing.

The No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing car retains Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque for their seventh consecutive season together, while the No. 40 continues with Jordan Taylor and Louis Delétraz.

Will Stevens and Norman Nato will provide additional support during the three longest Michelin Endurance Cup races, driving the No. 10 and No. 40 cars respectively.

The decision maintains continuity across the manufacturer’s programme following a season in which Wayne Taylor Racing returned to winning form at Road America.

Cadillac’s global motorsport competition vice-president Eric Warren said the objective was to defend the titles won in 2026 while building on the organisation’s established endurance-racing record.

Since entering IMSA prototype competition in 2017, Cadillac has accumulated 36 victories and 115 podium finishes across the DPi and GTP eras.

The 2027 season will begin with the Rolex 24 At Daytona, where Vesti will make his first appearance as a full-season Cadillac driver.

GRANDE PRÊMIO will continue following the manufacturer’s programmes and the latest developments in international endurance racing.