Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA has confirmed António Félix da Costa and Ricky Taylor as its two new drivers for the 2027 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), replacing Alex Lynn and Sébastien Bourdais in the manufacturer’s Hypercar programme.
The Anglo-American outfit will retain Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, Norman Nato and Will Stevens, completing its six-driver line-up across two Cadillac V-Series.R Hypercars. The changes will see da Costa return to JOTA after spending the 2026 season with Alpine, while Taylor will make his first full-time FIA WEC appearance following an accomplished career in North American endurance racing.
Lynn and Bourdais will depart the programme following the conclusion of the current campaign. However, both will remain involved for the final two rounds at Barcelona and Monza, with Lynn preparing to make his first start of the season after recovering from neck surgery.
Da Costa returns to JOTA after 2026 Alpine campaign
Da Costa’s return reunites the Portuguese driver with the British outfit following a successful previous partnership between 2019 and 2023.
The former Formula E World Champion initially competed for JOTA in LMP2, establishing himself among the category’s leading drivers. His most significant achievements came in 2022, when he secured the FIA WEC LMP2 Drivers’ Championship and claimed class victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
He subsequently progressed into Hypercar competition with JOTA in 2023, competing in the team’s customer Porsche 963 before leaving the programme.
Da Costa returned to the FIA WEC with Alpine for 2026, joining the French manufacturer’s Hypercar programme after a period away from the championship. His campaign included a podium finish at the Circuit of the Americas, where Alpine demonstrated competitive pace against the leading manufacturers.
However, the team excluded da Costa from its Fuji line-up after deciding to field two-driver crews in Japan. He will now leave Alpine to return to the organisation where he enjoyed some of his greatest endurance racing successes.
Da Costa targets victories and championships with Cadillac
Da Costa’s return will provide Cadillac with another experienced Hypercar driver who already understands JOTA’s approach to endurance racing. However, the move will also introduce a new challenge as he adapts to the Cadillac V-Series.R after competing with Porsche and Alpine machinery.
The Portuguese driver welcomed the opportunity to reunite with JOTA, highlighting his familiarity with the team and his ambition to challenge for victories.
“It feels really special to be coming back to JOTA,” da Costa said. “I have some amazing memories with this team, we achieved a lot together and I still have so many friends here, so in many ways it feels like coming home.
“At the same time, this is a completely new challenge and one about which I’m incredibly excited. The team has shown what it is capable of at the very highest level, and I’m coming back with one goal – to help Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA to fight for wins and championships.”
His return will also allow JOTA to build on an existing relationship with a driver who contributed to some of the team’s greatest achievements in LMP2. The familiarity could prove valuable as Cadillac prepares for another competitive season in the Hypercar category.
Taylor secures first full-time FIA WEC opportunity
Taylor will also join Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA for 2027, bringing extensive experience from the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The 37-year-old American has established himself among North America’s most accomplished prototype racers, securing two IMSA Championships alongside 32 victories and 76 podium finishes.
Although Taylor has considerable international endurance racing experience, the 2027 campaign will mark his first opportunity to contest a full FIA World Championship season.
Nevertheless, he is already familiar with Cadillac’s Hypercar programme, having competed with the V-Series.R in IMSA and made a previous appearance for JOTA during the 2026 WEC campaign.
Taylor joined Stevens and Nato for September’s Lone Star Le Mans, replacing Lynn in the #12 Cadillac while the British driver continued recovering from surgery.
The appearance provided valuable experience working with the JOTA operation, allowing Taylor to familiarise himself with the team’s procedures and personnel before securing his full-time seat.
His familiarity with the Cadillac V-Series.R should also assist his transition, although competing across the full WEC calendar will introduce new circuits, championship-specific regulations and different race conditions.
Taylor welcomes new challenge with JOTA
Taylor’s signing strengthens the connection between Cadillac’s North American and international endurance racing programmes. His experience competing in the V-Series.R provides the manufacturer with another driver capable of contributing to both performance development and race execution.
The American expressed his enthusiasm about joining the programme, particularly after building relationships with several members of the team through his previous IMSA experience.
“I’m incredibly honoured to be joining Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA for the 2027 season,” he said. “Racing full-time in an FIA World Championship is something I’ve never had the opportunity to do before, so I’m excited for the prospect and to be joining a team that has spent so many years achieving podiums and wins on the world stage. I know many of the team and drivers from my time in IMSA, so I already feel right at home. I can’t wait to get started!”
The move will provide Taylor with an opportunity to build on his accomplishments in IMSA while competing regularly against the established Hypercar manufacturers in the WEC. His familiarity with Cadillac machinery could also help him adapt quickly to his new team.
Cadillac retains experienced four-driver core
Alongside the arrivals of da Costa and Taylor, Cadillac will maintain continuity by retaining four drivers from its existing FIA WEC programme.
Aitken, Bamber, Nato and Stevens will all remain with the outfit, providing a familiar foundation as JOTA prepares for its third season operating Cadillac’s factory Hypercar entries.
The returning quartet brings considerable endurance racing experience, with several major victories and championship achievements across international GT and prototype competition.
Stevens and Nato have played particularly important roles in the team’s development, including Cadillac’s breakthrough WEC victory at Interlagos in 2025. Meanwhile, Bamber brings previous overall victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, while Aitken has established himself as a competitive factory Cadillac driver across both IMSA and the WEC.
The team’s decision to retain these four drivers should help maintain continuity as the two newcomers integrate into the programme. Their familiarity with JOTA’s operations and the V-Series.R will also provide an important foundation as Cadillac continues developing its competitiveness in the Hypercar category.
JOTA confident in revised 2027 driver line-up
JOTA Director and Co-Founder Sam Hignett welcomed the revised line-up, expressing confidence in the combination of existing experience and new talent.
“We’re incredibly excited about our driver line-up for 2027,” Hignett said. “In António and Ricky, we are welcoming two enormously talented drivers who already know the team well and understand what we are about.
“Both bring a huge amount of experience, but just as importantly, they are great team players and will fit seamlessly into the group we already have. Alongside Jack, Earl, Norman and Will, we believe we have a formidable line-up for 2027, with the experience, speed and team spirit to achieve great things together.”
Cadillac Global Motorsports Competition Vice-President Eric Warren also highlighted the importance of the new drivers’ existing relationships with the manufacturer and JOTA.
“We’re delighted to welcome António and Ricky to Cadillac for 2027,” Warren said. “Both drivers bring experience, race-winning pedigree and technical expertise to the team. In a series where teamwork and chemistry are vital, Ricky and António already have a long-standing relationship with everyone at Cadillac. Together with Jack, Earl, Norman and Will, this provides a strong foundation.”
The combination gives Cadillac a highly experienced driver roster as it continues working towards more consistent victories in the WEC’s competitive Hypercar category.
Lynn departs Cadillac after several landmark achievements
Lynn will leave Cadillac’s programme at the end of the 2026 season, concluding an association that began in 2023.
The British driver has played an important role in the manufacturer’s Hypercar development, delivering several notable performances since the V-Series.R entered international competition.
Among his achievements are four FIA WEC pole positions, including a memorable effort at the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans. Lynn also helped Cadillac secure its first overall Le Mans podium and contributed to the manufacturer’s maiden WEC victory.
That breakthrough came at Interlagos in 2025, where Lynn shared the #12 Cadillac with Stevens and Nato. The trio delivered an important victory for the manufacturer’s partnership with JOTA, demonstrating the V-Series.R’s potential against the established Hypercar field.
His departure will therefore mark the end of an important chapter in Cadillac’s endurance racing programme, with the British driver having contributed to several milestones during its development in the Hypercar category.
Neck surgery disrupts Lynn’s 2026 campaign
Lynn’s 2026 campaign has been disrupted by a persistent neck condition that ultimately required surgery.
The British driver missed the opening rounds of the season while undergoing treatment and rehabilitation. Cadillac subsequently introduced replacement drivers, including Louis Delétraz and Taylor, to maintain its programme throughout his absence.
Despite missing the first six rounds, Lynn will return to competition at Barcelona this weekend before concluding his time with Cadillac at Monza in November.
His final two appearances will provide an opportunity to return to competitive racing and conclude the partnership on a positive note after a challenging season dominated by his recovery.
The races will also mark his final appearances alongside Stevens and Nato in the #12 Cadillac, reuniting the crew that secured the manufacturer’s breakthrough victory at Interlagos in 2025.
Lynn reflects on Cadillac achievements ahead of departure
Lynn highlighted the achievements and relationships developed throughout his time with Cadillac, including the manufacturer’s first overall Le Mans podium and maiden WEC victory.
“I’ve had an amazing time with JOTA over the past two years and with Cadillac Racing over the last five years, with so many beautiful memories that I will cherish forever,” the 33-year-old reflected. “I’ve had the honour of driving the car to four FIA WEC pole positions – including the most special one at Le Mans – and being one of the crew that took the first overall podium at Le Mans and first overall FIA WEC win [in Brazil].
“Thank you to every person involved from both GM and the teams I was fortunate enough to drive for – I hope I did you proud. I always gave everything I had, and will continue to do so for the last two races.”
His departure comes after several seasons representing Cadillac at the highest level of international endurance racing. However, his immediate focus remains on completing the current campaign, with Barcelona and Monza providing two final opportunities to deliver strong results for the manufacturer.
Bourdais concludes two-year Cadillac JOTA partnership
Bourdais will also depart the Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA programme following the conclusion of the 2026 season.
The Frenchman joined the operation when Cadillac partnered with JOTA for the 2025 campaign, bringing extensive experience from IndyCar, IMSA and international endurance racing.
Throughout his two seasons with the team, Bourdais has played an important role in the development of Cadillac’s Hypercar programme, contributing both race results and technical feedback.
His experience has proved valuable as JOTA adapted to running the V-Series.R after previously competing with Porsche machinery. The team’s transition required significant operational changes, including adapting to a new manufacturer partnership and developing its understanding of Cadillac’s technical package.
Bourdais has also contributed to several strong results, including podium finishes, while sharing the #38 Cadillac with Bamber and Aitken during the 2026 season.
Although the Frenchman will leave the programme after Monza, his contributions have helped establish the foundation for the manufacturer’s continued development in the Hypercar category.
Bourdais aims to finish Cadillac tenure strongly
Bourdais remains focused on concluding the 2026 campaign with competitive performances, despite confirmation that he will depart the team at the end of the season.
The experienced Frenchman expressed pride in the programme’s progress and the results achieved during his time with Cadillac and JOTA.
“I’m very proud of what we have achieved together,” Bourdais acknowledged. “Joining JOTA with Cadillac was a new challenge for all of us, and it has been very rewarding to see how the programme has progressed and to have contributed to some strong results along the way.
“I’ve really enjoyed working with everyone at JOTA and Cadillac, and I have a lot of respect for the people involved. We still have two races to go this season, so my focus now is on doing the best job we can together and finishing on a high.”
Bourdais’ departure will bring another significant change to Cadillac’s driver roster, although the team will retain much of its existing experience through Aitken and Bamber.
The final rounds at Barcelona and Monza will therefore offer the #38 crew an opportunity to conclude their partnership with strong results before the revised line-up takes effect in 2027.
Cadillac acknowledges departing drivers’ contributions
Cadillac has also recognised the contributions of Lynn and Bourdais, highlighting their roles in developing the V-Series.R programme and achieving several important milestones.
Both drivers have played significant parts in the manufacturer’s progress within the Hypercar category, combining racing experience with technical feedback as Cadillac established itself against more experienced competitors.
Warren emphasised the importance of their contributions while acknowledging the conclusion of their current involvement in the programme.
“Sébastien and Alex have made important contributions to Cadillac Racing and to the growth of this programme over their many years with the team,” Warren added. “While this particular chapter may be coming to a close, their commitment will always be valued, and they will remain respected and important members of the Cadillac family.”
Their departures represent a significant transition for Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA, although the arrival of da Costa and Taylor will provide the team with two experienced replacements as it looks towards the next stage of its Hypercar programme.
Cadillac looks to build on 2025 WEC breakthrough
The confirmation of the revised driver line-up comes as Cadillac continues its efforts to establish itself among the leading manufacturers in the FIA WEC Hypercar category.
After securing its breakthrough victory at Interlagos in 2025, the manufacturer entered 2026 aiming to build on that success. However, despite regularly demonstrating competitive qualifying and race pace, Cadillac has struggled to consistently convert its performance into victories.
The team showed encouraging progress during the middle of the season, particularly at São Paulo, where the #12 secured pole position before recovering from an early pit-stop setback to finish third. The sister #38 followed in fourth, completing Cadillac’s strongest combined result of the campaign at that stage.
Although the result demonstrated the potential of the V-Series.R, the team continued searching for greater consistency against rivals such as Ferrari, Toyota and BMW.
The arrival of da Costa and Taylor provides an opportunity to strengthen the programme through additional race-winning experience, while the retention of four existing drivers ensures continuity.
Barcelona and Monza provide final opportunities in 2026
Before beginning preparations for 2027, Cadillac must first conclude the current FIA WEC season, with the 6 Hours of Barcelona scheduled for 16–18 October and the season-ending 6 Hours of Monza taking place from 6–8 November.
The two races will carry additional significance following confirmation of the driver changes. Lynn will return to the #12 Cadillac after missing the opening six rounds, while Bourdais will complete his final appearances with the #38 crew.
Their departures could provide additional motivation for the team as it attempts to finish the season with strong results. However, the remaining races will also provide valuable opportunities to assess the V-Series.R’s competitiveness ahead of another demanding Hypercar campaign.
Cadillac’s recent performances have demonstrated its potential to challenge near the front, although the team will aim to improve its consistency and race execution as it prepares for the next season.
Cadillac prepares for new chapter in 2027
With its six-driver roster confirmed, Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA can begin preparing for 2027 while continuing to target further progress during the remaining races.
The return of da Costa and full-time arrival of Taylor represent significant additions, bringing further endurance racing experience and established relationships with the manufacturer.
Meanwhile, the retention of Aitken, Bamber, Nato and Stevens will provide continuity as the team integrates its newcomers. Their existing knowledge of the Cadillac V-Series.R and JOTA’s operations could prove particularly important during pre-season preparations.
The changes also mark the end of important partnerships with Lynn and Bourdais, both of whom contributed to Cadillac’s development and several notable results in the Hypercar category.
With a revised driver line-up combining experienced race winners and established team members, Cadillac will aim to build on its previous achievements and challenge more consistently for victories and Championship honours in 2027.
