Electric Cars

In a momentous display of performance, Cadillac secured an impressive one-two finish at the recent Sao Paulo 6 Hours of the World Endurance Championship. This victory represents a significant milestone for the American manufacturer, marking their inaugural triumph in the highly competitive series. The success was not without its challenges, as the leading Cadillac team had to overcome an early setback. Meanwhile, the LMGT3 category saw a historic first win for Lexus, adding another layer of excitement to the event. The race at Interlagos proved to be a showcase of strategic prowess and relentless determination across both classes.

Cadillac's dominant performance at Interlagos was the highlight of the Sao Paulo 6 Hours, as their V-Series.R LMDh machines claimed the top two positions. The winning trio of Will Stevens, Alex Lynn, and Norman Nato drove a flawless race, securing Cadillac's first-ever victory in the World Endurance Championship. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering they had to recover from an early penalty for a tire pressure violation, demonstrating the car's formidable pace and the team's resilience. The sister Cadillac, shared by Earl Bamber, Jenson Button, and Sébastien Bourdais, closely followed, ensuring a memorable double podium for the manufacturer.

The race dynamic saw an initial challenge from Porsche, whose 963 LMDh briefly held the lead. However, Cadillac's superior long-run performance and strategic pit stops allowed them to gain a decisive advantage. Alex Lynn's pivotal stint, capitalizing on an undercut strategy during the second round of pit stops, established a lead that his teammates Norman Nato and Sébastien Bourdais further extended. Other major contenders, including Peugeot, BMW, and Ferrari, faced their own struggles. Toyota, in particular, had a disappointing outing, failing to score points for the first time in the Hypercar era due to Balance of Performance adjustments and the circuit's resurfaced track. In the LMGT3 class, Lexus celebrated a historic maiden win with Jose Maria Lopez, Clemens Schmid, and Razvan Umbrarescu, overcoming a pitlane speeding penalty to secure a commanding victory.

Dominance on Track: Cadillac's Breakthrough Victory

Cadillac Racing etched its name into the World Endurance Championship history books with a sensational 1-2 finish at the challenging Interlagos circuit. This was more than just a victory; it was a powerful statement from the American marque, signifying their emergence as a formidable force in global endurance racing. The meticulous preparation and strategic brilliance of the Jota-run Cadillac V-Series.R LMDh vehicles were evident throughout the six-hour endurance test, allowing them to overcome initial hurdles and assert their authority over the field. The flawless execution by the driving trios showcased their unwavering commitment to excellence, demonstrating a perfect blend of speed, consistency, and tactical acumen under pressure. This monumental achievement not only secured a maiden WEC win for Cadillac but also positioned them as serious contenders for future championships.

The lead Cadillac, driven by the accomplished trio of Will Stevens, Alex Lynn, and Norman Nato, displayed exceptional pace and strategic intelligence. Despite incurring an early penalty for a tire pressure infraction, the team remained composed, methodically working their way back to the front. A critical juncture in the race occurred during the second round of pit stops, where Alex Lynn's aggressive driving and the team's efficient pit work, including a smart undercut maneuver, propelled their car into a commanding lead. This advantage was steadily built upon by Nato and Sébastien Bourdais in the sister car, culminating in a significant gap to their rivals. The decisive nature of their victory, with a substantial lead over the third-place Porsche, underscored Cadillac's undeniable performance advantage at Interlagos. This performance sent a clear message to their competitors, establishing Cadillac as a dominant force in the Hypercar category.

Lexus Secures Maiden LMGT3 Win Amidst Manufacturer Struggles

While Cadillac celebrated a historic triumph in the Hypercar class, the LMGT3 category witnessed its own groundbreaking moment as Lexus secured its first-ever victory in the World Endurance Championship. This achievement for Lexus, coupled with Cadillac's strong showing, highlighted a day of significant milestones for various manufacturers. The LMGT3 race was a testament to competitive racing, with teams battling fiercely for positions and showcasing the diverse talent pool within the WEC. Despite facing a penalty themselves, the Lexus team demonstrated remarkable consistency and speed, outmaneuvering their rivals and proving their mettle on the international stage.

The Akkodis ASP Team's Lexus RC F LMGT3, driven by Jose Maria Lopez, Clemens Schmid, and Razvan Umbrarescu, delivered a standout performance, controlling the LMGT3 race for the majority of its duration. Their victory, despite a pitlane speeding penalty, underscored the car's inherent pace and the drivers' ability to manage the race effectively. In contrast, several prominent manufacturers in the Hypercar class encountered difficulties. Ferrari, despite being a Le Mans 24 Hours winner, struggled with Balance of Performance adjustments, resulting in a disappointing finish outside the points. Toyota, a dominant force in previous Interlagos races, also found themselves uncompetitive, attributing their challenges to increased weight, reduced power, and the recently resurfaced track. These varied outcomes underscored the intense competition and the delicate balance of performance regulations that shape the narrative of the World Endurance Championship, making every race a high-stakes battle where unforeseen challenges can dramatically alter fortunes.

Recent developments within the Red Bull organization have stirred considerable discussion regarding the internal power structure, especially following the news of Christian Horner's departure from his Formula 1 team principal role. Documents indicate a significant transaction involving a 2% stake in Red Bull GmbH, transferred by Chalerm Yoovidhya to a Swiss trust, Fides Trustees SA. This move, occurring shortly before Horner's exit, has led many to question whether a profound shift in company control is underway, or if it is merely a coincidence.

The genesis of Red Bull GmbH traces back to a partnership between Chaleo Yoovidhya, who originated the Thai energy drink Krating Daeng, and Dietrich Mateschitz. Initially, both held substantial stakes, with Chalerm Yoovidhya receiving a minor 2% share. Historically, despite the Thai side holding a majority 51% stake, Mateschitz exercised considerable operational authority. However, his passing in October 2022 altered this dynamic. His 49% stake passed to his son, Mark, but the sole managerial authority Mateschitz enjoyed did not transfer. Instead, a triumvirate of managing directors—Alexander Kirchmayr, Oliver Mintzlaff, and Franz Watzlawick—assumed leadership, granting the Yoovidhya family a more direct influence at the shareholder level.

Chalerm Yoovidhya's decision to place his 2% stake into Fides Trustees SA, a Geneva-based trust company, has been widely interpreted in Austria as a direct catalyst for Horner's removal. This interpretation posits that Yoovidhya effectively ceded control through this transfer. However, investigations by Motorsport-Total.com, a sister publication of Autosport, suggest that this claim lacks concrete support. Red Bull GmbH itself has refrained from public comment on internal corporate or family matters, simply stating that such fiduciary structures are common practice in large, successful corporations to ensure ongoing stability.

Fides Trustees SA is described as an independent firm specializing in the establishment and management of companies, trusts, and similar entities, serving high-net-worth individuals globally. The chairman of Fides' board is Martin Christopher Bowen, whose prior connections to either the Yoovidhya or Mateschitz families remain undisclosed. It appears Fides operates as a typical Swiss family office, managing considerable private wealth. The ultimate beneficiary of this 2% stake remains unclear, as Red Bull GmbH has not disclosed further details. Nevertheless, the company's emphasis on "continuity" implies that Fides may indeed be acting on behalf of Yoovidhya, suggesting that the underlying balance of power may not have fundamentally changed as dramatically as some speculate.

Adding another layer of complexity, UK Companies House records reveal Christian Horner’s extensive directorships across six Red Bull UK entities, including Red Bull Racing, Red Bull Technology, and Red Bull Powertrains. He is consistently listed as the first director, and industry observers widely believe him to be the highest-paid director across these companies. In 2023 alone, the highest-paid director received significant remuneration: £7 million from Red Bull Racing, £9.6 million from Red Bull Technology, and £4.0 million from Red Bull Advanced Technologies. This financial commitment highlights that terminating Horner's contract, reportedly valid until 2030, could entail substantial severance costs for Red Bull.

While Red Bull GmbH officially announced Horner's "relief of operational duties" on July 9, Horner himself, in a farewell address to staff in Milton Keynes, indicated he would remain employed but that the "operational baton" was being passed. Sources close to Motorsport-Total.com suggest that a long-term future for Horner within the company is unlikely. He is, however, expected to continue receiving his full salary until a comprehensive termination agreement, likely involving a multi-million-pound payout, is finalized. Ultimately, Horner’s departure may stem less from the formal share transfer and more from a gradual decline in support from the Thai ownership over the past 18 months, aligning with the Austrian faction’s reported desire for his removal since early 2024, when allegations of inappropriate conduct first emerged. It's plausible that the Yoovidhya family has come to prefer the pre-2022 operational model, where the company was largely managed from Austria, while a substantial 51% of profits flowed to them—a structure that, in retrospect, may have been more agreeable.