Frederik Vesti moves to a full-time driving seat for Cadillac Whelen Racing in 2027, replacing Earl Bamber in that role. Bamber shifts to a part-time schedule focused only on the endurance races. The rest of the Cadillac lineup stays the same, with Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque returning for their seventh year together. This move secures the roster for Cadillac’s tenth year in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
The announcement comes as Cadillac celebrates a decade since its first DPi car hit the track in 2017. The brand now holds 36 total wins and 115 podiums across its history in the series. This stability at the wheel matches the stability of the cars themselves, which have won the GTP title in recent seasons. The team believes this mix of experience and new blood will help them defend their titles next year.
The Shift at Cadillac Whelen
The biggest change happens at the #31 car. Frederik Vesti, who has been driving part-time, now takes the full-season job. He will race alongside Jack Aitken for the entire schedule. Earl Bamber, who was the full-time partner before, will now only drive during the five major endurance events. These include the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Gary Nelson, the general manager of Action Express Racing, explained why they made this switch. “We are very pleased with our driver lineup, and we kept it the same for 2027 with the only change being Fred moving to full time and Earl doing the endurance races,” Nelson said, according to Motorsport.com. This comment shows the team wanted to keep the core group together while giving a younger driver more track time.
Vesti has already gained experience at eight of the nine tracks used in the series. His only new schedule stop for the upcoming year is Detroit. He feels ready for the challenge. “Very excited for the 2027 season,” Vesti said. The team sees his growth as a key part of their plan to win again.
Continuity at Wayne Taylor Racing
While the #31 car sees a change, the Wayne Taylor Racing entries stay completely steady. The #10 car features Ricky Taylor and Filipe Albuquerque for their seventh straight season together. This duo just broke a long losing streak by winning the six-hour race at Road America. Will Stevens will join them for the three longest endurance races of the year.
The #40 car also keeps its main drivers. As a duo, Jordan Taylor and Louis Delétraz begin their fourth season. Norman Nato returns as the fourth driver for the endurance rounds. This consistency is rare in racing, where drivers often jump between teams every year. The Taylors and their partners know each other well and trust each other in the car.
Sam Hignett, the team principal for Cadillac Hertz Team JOTA, spoke about the broader driver pool for the brand. “We are incredibly excited about our driver line-up for 2027,” said Hignett, according to Motorsport.com. He noted that the group has the speed and experience to achieve great things. The mix of veterans and rising stars gives Cadillac a strong edge.
A Decade of Wins and Records
2027 marks ten years since Cadillac first entered prototype racing in 2017. That first car was the Cadillac DPi-V.R. Since then, the brand has built a massive record of success. They have 36 wins in total, which is more than any other manufacturer in the class. They also stand on the podium 115 times.
The stats break down into two eras. The team has 85 podiums from the DPi era and 30 from the current GTP era. This shows they can win with different types of cars and rules. Eric Warren, the Vice President of Global Motorsports Competition for General Motors, praised the team’s history. He said the goal is to defend their titles and build on their legacy.
Warren also highlighted the value of the current roster. He said the lineup combines proven experience with championship-level speed. “Our three Cadillac V-Series.R programs have demonstrated remarkable consistency and pace, and this roster gives each team a strong platform for the 2027 season,” Warren said. The plan is simple: win every round, starting with the big race at Daytona.
The move by Cadillac signals a focus on long-term growth. By locking in drivers like Ricky Taylor and Jordan Taylor for multiple years, they build a stable foundation. Vesti’s promotion shows they are willing to trust young talent with the full season. This balance of old and new is often the key to winning championships.
Earl Bamber’s shift to endurance duties is also a smart move. He brings huge skill to the long races where strategy and tire management matter most. His experience helps the team during the toughest parts of the schedule. Meanwhile, Vesti gets the chance to learn every track and every setup over a full year.
For fans, this means the Cadillac cars will be competitive right from the start. The drivers know the cars and the tracks well. There is no learning curve for the main lineup. The only new element is the fourth driver for Daytona, which will be announced later. Until then, the focus stays on the full-season pairings.
Cadillac is not just racing to participate. They are racing to win. With 36 wins already on the board, they have the most success of any brand. The 2027 season is another chapter in that story.
