Cadillac Secures Pole but Faces Long Odds to Win Le Mans 24h

Cadillac surprised many by locking out the front row for the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours, with the #12 and #38 V-Series.R cars topping qualifying. Alex Lynn claimed pole position, closely followed by Earl Bamber, giving Cadillac a strong start.

It was a standout showing in Hyperpole, as no competitor could lap within three tenths of the Cadillacs during both sessions. Despite the impressive one-two grid result, Sebastien Bourdais made it clear that victory seems out of reach.

Bourdais, racing the #38, was frank after qualifying, suggesting a podium would already be a stretch for the team. He pointed out that straight-line speed remains Cadillac’s main weakness.

During the vital Hyperpole 2 session, the fastest Cadillac managed a speed of 331.8 kph, while Porsche and Ferrari reached 338.1 kph. That seven-kph difference could prove decisive over 24 hours at a circuit known for its long Mulsanne straight.

Bourdais expressed frustration, hinting that rival teams may be deliberately hiding their true pace ahead of the race. He mentioned seeing things that suggest competitors are “keeping their cards damn close to their chest” and suspects some are sandbagging until the race begins.

Even though Cadillac’s pace during longer runs in practice has been comparable to others, the persistent top speed deficit could make passing and defending a challenge when it counts. Bourdais noted that in race conditions, traffic through the Porsche Curves can disrupt any advantage the V-Series.R earns on a clean lap.

He mentioned that teams with better straight-line speed, like Porsche and Ferrari, could overtake the Cadillac with ease using slipstream, while Cadillac drivers are unlikely to return the favor.

Ferrari was favored before qualifying but finds its cars starting in seventh, 11th, and 13th positions. Toyota, historically strong and known for near faultless reliability and durability, starts from 10th and 17th.

Despite the grid order, Bourdais believes these teams will move forward quickly. He even accused the Ferrari camp of playing games with their performance, citing impressive lap times by Yifei Ye in the #83 car despite extra weight.

With Porsche, Ferrari, Toyota, and even BMW appearing competitive, Bourdais set his expectations firmly on a possible top-five finish. He mentioned that if all goes smoothly for the rivals, challenging for the podium would be impressive and a win would be more than surprising.

The high standard and depth of the field mean every opportunity must be taken, as even minor mistakes come with big consequences over 24 hours. Race fans are watching to see whether Cadillac can deliver more than just a headline in qualifying.

The real test comes as cars line up for the legendary race, starting with Cadillac’s #12 on pole and the #38 alongside. For Cadillac, the road to the checkered flag will demand more than just the speed they found in qualifying; it will require flawless execution, perfect reliability, and perhaps a bit of fortune as seen in other high-pressure motorsport events like the McLaren versus Verstappen Spanish GP.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.