{"id":4057,"date":"2026-10-15T12:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-15T15:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=4057"},"modified":"2026-10-15T12:16:03","modified_gmt":"2026-10-15T15:16:03","slug":"cadillac-confirms-2027-wec-drivers-da-costa-and-taylor-replace-lynn-and-bourdais","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/endurance\/wec\/cadillac-confirms-2027-wec-drivers-da-costa-and-taylor-replace-lynn-and-bourdais\/","title":{"rendered":"Cadillac confirms 2027 WEC drivers: da Costa and Taylor replace Lynn and Bourdais"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ant\u00f3nio F\u00e9lix da Costa and Ricky Taylor join Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA for 2027.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Alex Lynn and S\u00e9bastien Bourdais leave<\/strong> the manufacturer&#8217;s WEC programme after the 2026 season.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, Norman Nato and Will Stevens remain in Cadillac&#8217;s six-driver Hypercar squad.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Cadillac has confirmed a major reshuffle of its World Endurance Championship driver line-up for 2027, replacing Alex Lynn and S\u00e9bastien Bourdais with Ant\u00f3nio F\u00e9lix da Costa and Ricky Taylor<\/strong> in the two-car Hertz Team JOTA Hypercar programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The American manufacturer announced the changes on Thursday, October 15, ending Lynn&#8217;s long association with Cadillac and Bourdais&#8217; two-season spell with JOTA while introducing two experienced drivers with established connections to the organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, Norman Nato and Will Stevens will remain<\/strong>, giving Cadillac four returning drivers alongside its two new recruits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The announcement comes as the team prepares for the final two rounds of the 2026 championship, beginning with the 6 Hours of Barcelona this weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Da Costa returns to JOTA after Alpine departure<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Da Costa&#8217;s appointment reunites the Portuguese driver with the team where he enjoyed some of the most successful years of his endurance-racing career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He competed for JOTA between 2019 and 2023, initially in LMP2 before moving into Hypercar competition. His achievements included the <strong>2022 WEC LMP2 championship and a class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The former Formula E world champion returned to the WEC in 2026 with Alpine, but will now move to Cadillac for the following season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His experience with JOTA should reduce the adaptation required, although the Cadillac V-Series.R represents a different technical package from the prototypes he previously drove for the British team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Da Costa described the reunion as particularly meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;It feels really special to be coming back to JOTA,&#8221; he said, recalling the achievements and relationships established during his previous spell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Portuguese driver said his ambition was to help Cadillac challenge for victories and championships, rather than simply return to familiar surroundings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His arrival also strengthens the programme&#8217;s connection with Formula E, where he continues to compete. A scheduling conflict between the 2027 Formula E round in Shanghai and the WEC&#8217;s 6 Hours of S\u00e3o Paulo means <strong>da Costa is expected to miss the Brazilian endurance race<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That creates an additional driver-management consideration for Cadillac, which will need to account for his absence at Interlagos.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ricky Taylor takes on first full-time WEC campaign<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second new arrival is Ricky Taylor, one of Cadillac&#8217;s most experienced drivers in North American sports-car racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 37-year-old American has spent much of his career competing in IMSA, winning two championship titles and accumulating <strong>32 victories and 76 podium finishes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Taylor already knows Cadillac&#8217;s V-Series.R from his programme with Wayne Taylor Racing and gained direct experience with JOTA during the 2026 WEC round at Circuit of the Americas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His move represents an expansion rather than a departure from the manufacturer&#8217;s North American activities. Taylor will continue racing in IMSA alongside Filipe Albuquerque while adding a full WEC campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That arrangement will allow Cadillac to benefit from a driver with substantial knowledge of the V-Series.R across two major championships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I&#8217;m incredibly honoured to be joining Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA for the 2027 season,&#8221; Taylor said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The American explained that competing in a full world championship season represents an opportunity he had not previously experienced, despite his extensive success in IMSA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His familiarity with Cadillac&#8217;s engineers, drivers and management should also help him integrate into the JOTA operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cadillac parts ways with Lynn after historic WEC achievements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The departures of Lynn and Bourdais are significant because both played important roles in Cadillac&#8217;s development as a Hypercar manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lynn joined Cadillac&#8217;s prototype programme in 2023 and helped establish the American marque as a competitive force in the WEC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Briton was responsible for several standout qualifying performances, including <strong>pole position at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He also shared Cadillac&#8217;s first overall WEC victory with Stevens and Nato at the 2025 6 Hours of S\u00e3o Paulo, a landmark achievement for the manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Lynn has missed the opening six rounds of the 2026 season after undergoing neck surgery and is scheduled to return to competition at Barcelona this weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The 33-year-old acknowledged the significance of his time with Cadillac and JOTA.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I&#8217;ve had an amazing time with JOTA over the past two years and with Cadillac Racing over the last five years,&#8221; Lynn said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He highlighted the programme&#8217;s first overall Le Mans podium, its breakthrough WEC victory in Brazil and his four pole positions as some of the achievements he valued most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Briton also confirmed his intention to give everything during his final two races with the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bourdais leaves JOTA while Bamber remains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bourdais&#8217; departure ends his two-season spell with Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA, during which the experienced Frenchman contributed to the development and competitiveness of the V-Series.R.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The former Champ Car champion brought extensive knowledge of prototype racing, technical development and endurance competition to the programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bourdais said he was proud of the team&#8217;s progress and would remain focused on delivering strong results in Barcelona and the season finale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His departure does not mean Cadillac is abandoning experienced drivers. The manufacturer will retain Bamber, Stevens, Nato and Aitken, while adding two established endurance competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bamber&#8217;s continuation is particularly noteworthy because Cadillac has simultaneously confirmed a reduction in his IMSA programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The New Zealander will move from a full-season IMSA role to endurance-only duties with Action Express Racing, while <strong>Frederik Vesti takes over as Jack Aitken&#8217;s regular teammate<\/strong> in the No. 31 Cadillac.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The arrangement allows Bamber to maintain his full WEC commitment while continuing to contribute to Cadillac&#8217;s North American endurance programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Aitken will also remain active in both championships, defending his IMSA GTP title while racing for JOTA in the WEC.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His 2026 championship was unusual because <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/endurance\/why-jack-aitken-is-imsas-sole-2026-gtp-champion-despite-sharing-his-cadillac\/\"><strong>he became IMSA&#8217;s sole GTP drivers&#8217; champion despite sharing his Cadillac with Bamber and Vesti<\/strong><\/a>, whose partial programmes prevented them from matching his points total.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cadillac targets WEC title with revised Hypercar squad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cadillac&#8217;s decision brings together drivers with different strengths and backgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Da Costa offers experience from JOTA&#8217;s previous LMP2 championship campaign and a career that includes success in Formula E. Taylor brings a proven IMSA record and direct knowledge of Cadillac&#8217;s current prototype, while the four returning drivers provide continuity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Team director Sam Hignett welcomed the two arrivals, emphasising that both drivers were already familiar with the organisation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;We&#8217;re incredibly excited about our driver line-up for 2027,&#8221; Hignett said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cadillac&#8217;s global motorsport competition vice-president Eric Warren also praised the experience and technical knowledge brought by the newcomers, describing teamwork and chemistry as essential to success in endurance racing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The manufacturer enters the next season seeking to build on its previous WEC breakthroughs, including the 2025 victory at Interlagos and its podium performances at Le Mans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The current campaign remains unfinished. Cadillac will contest the <strong>6 Hours of Barcelona on October 18<\/strong> before the final round at Imola in November, with Lynn and Bourdais completing their commitments to the team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> continues to follow the Hypercar championship, including the <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/endurance\/wec\/toyota-beats-alpine-in-late-fuji-twist-as-hirakawa-buemi-and-hartley-take-wec-lead\/\">2026 WEC title battle<\/a>, through its <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/endurance\/wec\/\">WEC coverage<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Cadillac has overhauled two positions in its World Endurance Championship line-up for 2027, bringing Ant\u00f3nio F\u00e9lix da Costa back to JOTA and promoting Ricky Taylor to a full-time WEC role as Alex Lynn and S\u00e9bastien Bourdais depart.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020311206,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Ant\u00f3nio F\u00e9lix da Costa","42wp_featured_image_credits":"Formula E","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":48,"location":""}],"footnotes":"","42wp_breaking_news":false},"categories":[47],"tags":[136,77,847,50],"42wp_author":[48],"class_list":["post-4057","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wec","tag-antonio-felix-da-costa","tag-cadillac","tag-ricky-taylor","tag-wec","42wp_author-giovani-danjo"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4057","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4057"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4057\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4058,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4057\/revisions\/4058"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020311206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4057"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4057"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4057"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=4057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}