Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA enters the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season with rising expectations after an encouraging debut campaign together in 2025. The partnership between the GM-owned marque and the British independent squad immediately showed promise, demonstrating pace and competitiveness from the outset.
During the curtain-raising round in Qatar last season, the team wasted no time making an impact. Both cars ran at the front of the field and looked poised to challenge for victory. However, misfortune struck when a collision between Alex Lynn and team-mate Jenson Button ended their race prematurely.
Despite the disappointment, the performance set the tone for a season filled with potential.
Qualifying speed sets the stage for promising 2026 WEC campaign for JOTA
Throughout the campaign, the Cadillac V-Series.R repeatedly proved its one-lap pace. Lynn secured three pole positions during the season and twice led Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA to a front-row lockout.
One moment in particular stood out. During the 75th anniversary year of Cadillac’s debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Lynn delivered a historic qualifying lap at the Circuit de la Sarthe. The achievement marked the first time an American manufacturer had claimed pole position at the iconic French circuit in nearly six decades.
Sam Hignett, JOTA co-founder and director, emphasised how the team capitalised on its qualifying strength.
“We knew the strength of the car was its one-lap pace,” remarked JOTA Co-Founder and Director, Sam Hignett, during a pre-season media brunch at London’s Royal Automobile Club. “That was where we could really maximise our opportunity, and we took advantage of it everywhere we could.”
While qualifying success grabbed headlines, consistency ultimately defined the #12 crew’s season. Alex Lynn, Will Stevens and Norman Nato formed one of the most dependable line-ups in the championship. Their entry was the only car among the 36 competitors in the FIA WEC field to score points in every round of the season. That reliability carried them to fifth place in the Drivers’ standings. The highlight arrived in São Paulo, where the trio dominated proceedings and secured Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA’s breakthrough victory.
Nevertheless, Hignett believes that stronger consistency across all areas will be crucial if the team wants to challenge for the title in 2026.
JOTA brings major upgrades for the 2026 WEC challenge
To build on last season’s momentum, the team has undertaken a significant aerodynamic overhaul of the V-Series.R. According to Hignett, the changes are extensive. The redesign aims to improve efficiency, driveability and overall race performance.
Visible modifications include the removal of the front dive planes and winglets, along with a reshaped rear wing profile. Despite these alterations, the Hypercar still retains Cadillac’s distinctive production design cues.
Hignett also highlighted another key factor that could provide a competitive edge: the new Michelin tyre introduced for all Hypercars in 2026.
“There’s been a huge amount of work getting used to the new Michelin tyre that all Hypercars will run in 2026, and that’s where the cohesive relationship between us, Wayne Taylor Racing and Action Express Racing [in IMSA] is so valuable,” he explained. “Those guys will have done Daytona and Sebring before we even turn up in Qatar, so we can learn from what they’ve learnt with the tyre and their understanding of how to get the best out of it.”
Lynn: A shift in mindset as JOTA enters 2026 WEC
Alex Lynn emerged as one of the team’s standout performers last season. The British driver, now entering his fourth year with the Cadillac V-Series.R, believes the team has undergone a fundamental shift in mentality.
“It was such a good start to the programme with JOTA last year – more so than I had anticipated,” the 32-year-old reflected. “Genuinely, from the first event, the car was almost transformed, and what we could extract from it every single weekend was astonishing.”
“From that starting-point to now, we can really begin to dream of it all. Before, to dream of winning just one race was quite a big thing. Now, we go into every weekend thinking we can win. That’s a very big mentality shift.”
High ambitions for 2026
With upgrades in place, valuable experience gained and confidence growing inside the garage, Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA approaches the 2026 season with ambitious targets. For Lynn and the entire team, the objectives are clear.
“Ultimately, the proof will be in the pudding, but that’s why we’re all here and why we all work so hard – to try to win Le Mans and try to win the World Championship. That’s the goal.”
