Cooling issue hobbled JDC-Miller Cadillac in IMSA Sebring 12 Hours

The #5 Cadillac DPi-V.R shared by Westbrook, Tristan Vautier and Loic Duval finished a close second at the Florida airfield track, losing out to the Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac of Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Neel Jani by just over six seconds.

Westbrook took advantage of a drive-through penalty for Bamber in the #02 Ganassi car late in the penultimate hour to move into the lead, but the New Zealander appeared to have a pace advantage and soon repassed.

After Bamber spun following contact with a GTD car, explaining afterwards he had “made a meal” of his run to victory, Westbrook led once more until Bamber passed for good when the Briton was baulked by traffic.

Westbrook explained that its efforts were impacted by a cooling problem that required JDC to perform driver changes in each of its final three pitstops, with Vautier handing over to Westbrook for the penultimate stint before the former took over again for the run to the flag.

Bamber on the other hand was able to stay at the wheel of the #02 car for a closing triple-stint.

"All you can ask is for us to be in the hunt," said Westbrook, who moves to the head of the standings following the team's third-place finish in the season-opening Daytona 24 Hours in January.

"We were in the hunt for the whole 12 hours. We had some issues with the cooling in the car, so we could only single stint at the end.

"I found myself in the lead with an hour to go and I got [held up] by a GTD car in Turn 16. Do I try to overtake him on the outside in Turn 16?

"Second is really a good result. We’ve won a podium in both races [so far in 2022]. Everyone should be proud. Great day for Cadillac and a great day for JDC.”

#5 JDC Miller MotorSports Cadillac DPi: Tristan Vautier, Richard Westbrook,