Louis Delétraz on his victory at Sebring in 2024: "One of the best races of my career"

Louis Delétraz will be back behind the wheel of the #40 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R with his teammates Jordan Taylor and Colton Herta for the second round of the championship season. IMSA.

As the Florida classic approaches, Delétraz was enthusiastic during a press conference organized by the International Motor Sports Association, recalling how special the event is in his career.

« Sebring is always a very exciting race and one of the best on the calendar. He explains. We won in 2024 and it was one of the best races of my career. I hope we can do the same again. »

A trio that works

The Swiss driver is also delighted to be reunited with a crew he knows well. The partnership with Jordan Taylor and Colton Herta enabled the American team to victory two years ago at the former Florida airfield.

« Coming back with Jordan and Colton brings back great memories and good vibes. Delétraz confides. We have a great relationship and we really enjoy working together. That's important because when you trust each other, you can push together. The last thing you want is a teammate with a big ego or tension within the team. Fortunately, that's not the case for us. »

According to him, the winter preparation suggests interesting potential for Cadillac on the bumpy Sebring circuit, where the team was able to complete two days of testing.

« The Cadillac was quite strong during the test. We've had time to prepare properly and I think we have a good chance. »

An always explosive finish

Sebring is such a popular race among drivers, in particular because of its nighttime finale. A moment that Delétraz considers one of the most intense on the endurance racing calendar.

« That's what makes Sebring so special: the finish is at night and the race becomes much more aggressive in the final hours. A lot can happen at the end. It all depends on the team's strategy, the attack, and the level of risk they're willing to take. »

The Swiss player also acknowledges the emotional dimension that the ordeal represents for him.

« It's one of the biggest races in the world. I used to watch it on television when I was a child, so being able to participate in it today is something special. »

Cadillac on the rise

After a challenging 2025 season, Wayne Taylor Racing's team approaches the 2026 season with a clearer understanding of the competition. Last year, the American outfit had to adapt to its switch from Acura to Cadillac, a change that required a learning period.

« There were many new things to understand: a new car, new people, explains Delétraz. We were behind the teams who already knew the car and, in such a competitive field, it's difficult to make up for that delay. »

The start of the season, however, seems to indicate that the work is paying off. During the 24 Hours of Daytona, the opening round of the championship, the crew of the #40 car was slowed down by a problem that occurred during the night.

« We lost pace at the end of the race and couldn't fight for the win. But this year will be better. With the engineers and the people at Cadillac, everything feels more natural. We know where to look for performance. »

The goal: to compete for the title

Despite the difficulties encountered last season, Delétraz maintains a clear objective: to fight regularly for victory and aim for the championship.

« Last year was difficult. As a driver, I want to win and fight for titles every season. We had a podium finish at Watkins Glen, but overall we lacked pace. And without pace, it's much harder to make a difference. »

The lesson learned is simple: in a championship as competitive as IMSA, perfection is essential.

« You can be fast, but if the strategy isn't perfect or if the drivers make mistakes, you won't win. You have to be absolutely perfect. Our goal this year is to be in a winning position in the last two hours of every race. If we manage that consistently, we'll have a chance to compete for the championship. »

And while Delétraz obviously dreams of adding another victory at Sebring to his record, he does not hide the fact that a title won through consistency would suit him just as well.

« Of course, we always want to win Sebring or Le MansBut I also gladly accept a championship won through consistency. »