--- title: "Cadillac Secures First-Ever Pole for 24 Hours of Le Mans" date: "2025-06-12" modified: "2025-06-12" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/cadillac-secures-first-ever-pole-for-24-hours-of-le-mans" categories: - "News" - "Racing" - "WEC" --- # Cadillac Secures First-Ever Pole for 24 Hours of Le Mans ![Cadillac Hertz Team Jota (12) includes Will Stevens (GBR), Norman Nato (FRA), and Alex Lynn (GBR) during the 24h of Le Mans at 24h Le Mans Circuit in Le Mans, France, on June 11, 2025. (Photo by Alessio Morgese/ Gabriele Lanzo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)]() *\NurPhoto\* Team Jota's Alex Lynn drove his No. 12 [Cadillac Hypercar to the automaker's first-ever pole position]() for the [24 Hours of Le Mans](). However, the [British privateer team]() didn't stop there, as the No. 38 sister car secured the second place on the starting grid, giving Cadillac a historic front-row lockout for this weekend's endurance race. Despite a strong performance by the Cadillac Whelen No. 311 car in the first round of qualifying, Jack Aitken could only secure eighth place, while the No. 101 of Wayne Taylor Racing will start 14th. Even with the disparity between starting positions, all Cadillacs looked strong during different moments of qualifying and should put up a good fight once the race gets underway. After suffering a May from hell due to a [cheating scandal at the Indy 500](), Penske got off to a poor start at Le Mans due to the disqualification of the No. 6 Porsche for being underweight. That car will start at the back of the Hypercar grid, though the No. 5 will start third from the grid thanks to an impressive performance by Julien Andlauer. The No. 5 actually lost its right-rear wheel during the session, but Andlauer had set a good-enough lap time to retain his third place. ![Porsche Penske Motorsport drivers Julien Andlauer (FRA), Michael Christensen (DEN), and Mathieu Jaminet (FRA) participate in the 24h of Le Mans at 24h Le Mans Circuit in Le Mans, France, on June 11, 2025. (Photo by Alessio Morgese/ Gabriele Lanzo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)]() *NurPhoto* ![LE MANS, FRANCE - JUNE 11: The #12 Cadillac Hertz Team Jota, Cadillac V-Series.R of Will Stevens, Alex Lynn, and Norman Nato in action during practice for the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 11, 2025 in Le Mans, France. (Photo by James Moy Photography/Getty Images)]() *James Moy Photography* ![Ferrari Af Corse (51) Alessandro Pier Guidi (ITA), James Calado (GBR), and Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA) participate in the 24h of Le Mans at 24h Le Mans Circuit in Le Mans, France, on June 11, 2025. (Photo by Alessio Morgese / Gabriele Lanzo/NurPhoto via Getty Images)]() *NurPhoto* Perhaps the biggest surprise of the day was by the Ferrari team, which only managed to qualify in seventh and 11th positions. Having [won the race two years in a row](), Ferrari is the favorite to do so again, but it will have its work cut out due to its poor qualifying. Cadillac has been building momentum over the last two years, and all of its effort seems to be paying off. In 2023, for its return to Le Mans after 21 years, it managed to finish third place overall, but it missed the podium by one place last year. With such a strong performance by Jota today, it certainly makes us believe that the American automaker has what it takes to win the most prestigious endurance race in the world next week. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()