Chip Ganassi Racing’s entry proved to be a formidable presence in IMSA’s grueling endurance classic, with Sébastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande, and Scott Dixon sharing driving duties.
As the race entered its final stretch, victory seemed imminent, with Bourdais leading for much of the last hour. However, in a dramatic turn of events, Louis Deletraz overtook Bourdais with less than six minutes remaining, propelling the No. 40 Wayne Taylor Racing Acura ARX-06 to the checkered flag.
Reflecting on the race in the post-event press conference, Bourdais acknowledged that the team encountered electrical issues during the competition, despite securing their third podium finish at Sebring in six years.
“I believe the entire Cadillac and Ganassi team performed admirably,” Bourdais remarked. “Although it wasn’t entirely smooth sailing. We faced some electronic glitches at one point, causing the car to slow down. There were concerns it might persist, but fortunately, it was resolved. Credit to everyone for their efforts. The moment when the #40 seemed to lose ground due to aerodynamic turbulence from the #10 car, forcing an unscheduled pit stop, ultimately proved pivotal. They outpaced us, and they deserved the win.”
He added, “While it’s satisfying to secure valuable points, losing the race in the final laps is always disappointing.”
Delving into the specifics of the team’s challenges during the race, Bourdais elaborated on the technical hurdles they encountered and the subsequent efforts to overcome them.
“We experienced recurring issues with the electronic braking system,” Bourdais explained. “Despite attempting various fixes, the problem persisted, leading to a temporary halt in momentum coming out of Turn 7. This setback cost us positions to the Acuras and BMW. Fortunately, the team managed to diagnose and rectify the issue, allowing us to resume the race. It was a tense moment when rear brakes began overheating, and tire pressures soared, but the team’s resilience shone through. They swiftly addressed the problem, ensuring we remained competitive until the end. That’s all you can ask for in such challenging circumstances.”