Jack Aitken will take Jenson Button’s seat in the Hertz Team’s No. 38 Gotta Cadillac, with Earl Bamber and Sebastien Bourdais; #12 He keeps the threesome
Cadillac Hertz JOTA has confirmed Jack Aitken’s presence in its 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship lineup. The driver will replace Jenson Button, who bid farewell to professional racing after the 2025 championship final in Bahrain. Aitken will be in the No. 38 car alongside Earl Bamber and Sebastien Bourdais.
The No. 12 Cadillac V-Series.R returns with Alex Lane, Norman Nato and Will Stevens, who scored points in every race in 2025 and finished fifth in the Hypercar Drivers’ Championship.
Aitken, who has made four 24 Hours of Le Mans starts – the last three for Action Express Racing in a Cadillac – made his first all-season appearance in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). He made his first lap in the Jota Cadillac in the rookie test in Bahrain.
“We are delighted to welcome Jack on board,” said David Clarke, Director and Founder of Jota Sport. “We have followed his progress closely this year and have been impressed with his speed and consistency, which are key to success in the Hypercar class. As a member of the Cadillac Racing family of drivers, Jack is a natural fit. He already understands the culture, people and expectations in the Cadillac ecosystem.”
Clack added: “In addition to his on-track performance, Jack’s easy-going personality and team-oriented attitude make him an excellent addition to our driver line-up. We never underestimate team chemistry; six individual stars who are not winning endurance races, but six drivers who are working as hard as they can.”
He added: “Everything we have seen from Jack so far shows that he embodies that spirit, and we cannot wait to see what he will achieve with the team next season.” The team manager concluded.
Aitken will compete in a dual program: a full season in the IMSA WeatherTech Championship for Action Express Racing, in GTP, with Bamber. The only conflict will take place on April 17-19: WEC in Imola and IMSA in Long Beach. Jota confirmed that Aitken will prioritize IMSA, missing out on the Imola stage.
“I am very grateful for the trust Cadillac has given me and the opportunity it has given me,” Aitken said. “It is very exciting for me personally because I have never raced in the WEC and I have never raced with Jota, although we have come close several times and have a relationship that has now paid off.
“They have great people, from the drivers to the staff, and it’s a team that has had success in the WEC. I’m excited to take what I learned in IMSA to Action Express and take that forward,” Aitken added. I’m excited to start the year and double my time in the Cadillac V-Series.R.
“Jack has exceptional speed, technical insight and a fierce competitive spirit that complements the team perfectly,” said Kelly Posen, Cadillac Racing Program Director. “Our 2026 roster reflects the strength in continuity.”
“With drivers competing in IMSA and WEC, we have built a unified program that drives combined performance and development. I’m really excited about the depth, talent and energy this lineup brings to the season.” Bosen concluded.
Aitken, the 2025 Petit Le Mans winner, finished second in the 2025 IMSA Drivers’ Championship and Michelin Endurance Cup with Bamber and Vestey. In 22 IMSA races, he has scored three wins (two at Sebring and Petit Le Mans), seven podium finishes, and two pole positions.
Cadillac finished fourth in the 2025 WEC Hypercar Manufacturers’ Championship. Jota gave the brand its first WEC win with a 1-2 at Interlagos in July. The No. 38, then with Bamber, Bourdais and Button, achieved three front-row starts and a second place in Brazil, among four top-10 results.
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