Cadillac Driver Blasts Ferrari’s Bold Move at Le Mans

Sebastien Bourdais, a Cadillac driver in this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, has shared strong feelings about Ferrari’s performance in qualifying. Bourdais, who will pilot the Cadillac #38 car, saw his team take second place on the grid, just behind Cadillac’s sister entry, the #12.

Ferrari, favored for a front-row start after dominating earlier in the season, managed only seventh position. Bourdais believes Ferrari was not showing their true potential during the session, suggesting they were “taking the piss” after seeing lap times that seemed out of place with expectations.

The pace of Ferrari became a particular talking point after Yifei Ye posted a 3m23.9s lap in the #83 Ferrari with a heavy fuel load, indicating that Ferrari still has significant speed in hand. Bourdais suggested that Ferrari might be sandbagging, or holding back their real pace until the race. This kind of strategy, he hinted, could be a way for teams to mask their actual competitiveness before the full race begins. Bourdais admitted that it made for entertaining stories but insisted the top manufacturers would be present at the front when it mattered.

Meanwhile, Toyota, a team with five Le Mans wins in the last seven editions, could only claim the tenth fastest lap during qualifying. Despite this, their track record gives them a strong outlook for the race.

Bourdais recognized Toyota’s strengths: consistent reliability, low tire degradation, and steady pace over 24 hours. He pointed out that if these top teams have clean races, breaking into the top five would be tough for Cadillac.

Cadillac’s goal remains clear, with Bourdais stating that even a podium would be a big achievement given the depth of competition. The presence of three Ferraris and the resilience of Toyota will make the fight at the front extremely challenging.

The 24-hour format leaves little room for error, and Bourdais knows that flawless execution and a bit of luck could shape the final outcome. Qualifying this year set the stage for an unpredictable race, much like the challenges faced by some drivers dealing with difficult qualifying sessions such as Kyle Larson’s worst qualifying performance.

Cadillac holds the pole, but both Ferrari and Toyota are expected to challenge strongly during the extended contest. The unpredictability of Le Mans, combined with strategy and reliability factors, means that any of these teams could still emerge victorious.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans remains a highlight in the motorsport calendar, drawing top teams and drivers from around the world. With several teams holding back their cards in qualifying, Saturday’s race will likely reveal the true pecking order.

As the green flag approaches, fans are set for a showdown with plenty of storylines to follow, with Cadillac, Ferrari, and Toyota all hungry for victory. This highly anticipated contest is reminiscent of the intense rivalries seen in recent races, such as the Verstappen-Russell clash.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.