Cadillac’s golden triumph at Le Mans qualifying

40

Cadillac roared back to glory at the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans, clinching a historic front-row lockout in Thursday’s thrilling Hyperpole qualifying, 75 years after its debut in the iconic endurance race.

The American marque’s Hertz Team JOTA delivered a dazzling performance, with Alex Lynn’s blistering 3m23.166s lap in the No. 12 Cadillac V-Series.R snatching pole position, edging out teammate Earl Bamber in the No. 38 by just 0.167 seconds.

This marks Cadillac’s first-ever Le Mans pole and the first for an American automaker since Ford’s reign in 1967.

The new two-stage Hyperpole format electrified the Circuit de la Sarthe, with 15 Hypercar contenders battling in Hyperpole 1 to reach the top 10 for Hyperpole 2.

Porsche’s Mathieu Jaminet briefly held the lead with a 3m23.475s, but Cadillac’s gold-liveried V-Series.Rs found their groove. Lynn’s last-gasp lap dethroned Porsche, securing pole for himself, Will Stevens, and Norman Nato, with Bamber, Jenson Button, and Sebastien Bourdais alongside.

Cadillac Hertz Team Jota's Alex Lynn celebrating pole position after the final Hyperpole shootout at Le Mans.

“Any time you have the opportunity to drive this kind of car at Le Mans with low fuel, new tires, is an honor,” Lynn said, beaming. “I’m proud to deliver for Cadillac.

“It’s a special feeling, a magical circuit and a place I like to perform my best. Now, just 24 hours. We will enjoy this tonight and get some rest.”

As Cadillac basks in this milestone, the stage is set for a thrilling 24-hour showdown.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.