Bourdais Headlines DragonSpeed Corvette Entry for Petit Le Mans

The air at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta thickens with anticipation as DragonSpeed prepares to drop the hammer on its final IMSA appearance. Sebastien Bourdais, the two-time overall winner of this punishing ten-hour circuit, is back in the seat. The two-time champion will pilot the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, bringing a legacy of endurance triumphs to a track that has long defined his career.

This is not a casual outing. It is a calculated strike. Bourdais, departing the FIA World Endurance Championship with Hertz Team JOTA at season’s end, joins forces with regulars Giacomo Altoè and Casper Stevenson. The trio forms a formidable unit, tasked with reclaiming the GTD Pro throne that DragonSpeed narrowly missed in the previous year’s campaign.

A driver’s return to the GT grid

For Bourdais, this marks a significant reset. It is his first GT start since the Ford GT program concluded in 2019. The shift from LMP1 machinery to the compact, agile Z06 represents a stark change in physical and mechanical demands. Yet, the veteran driver embraces the novelty, noting that racing in a new class and a new car simultaneously offers a unique challenge. He speaks of the Corvette with high regard, citing feedback from peers who praise its capabilities on the Atlanta asphalt.

The emotional weight of the event is palpable. Bourdais describes the call from DragonSpeed as a moment of pure joy, a chance to return to a circuit where his successes are etched into the record books. He views this weekend not just as a race, but as an opportunity to deliver a victory for General Motors and the dedicated crew that has supported him through his recent transitions in endurance racing.

DragonSpeed’s final Pro class push

Team principal Elton Julian frames this entry with the intensity of a final stand. After finishing as runner-ups in the GTD Pro championship last season with a privateer Ferrari program, the squad is determined to finish strong. Julian’s language is deliberate; he rejects the notion of a token effort. Instead, he speaks of bringing an ace to the table, ensuring that DragonSpeed enters the fray with the same competitive edge that defined its recent history.

The strategy is clear: leverage Bourdais’s experience to close out the GT campaign with a classic performance. Julian emphasizes that the team will not bring a knife to a gun fight. With the full backing of GM and a driver who knows the nuances of the Atlanta layout, DragonSpeed aims to convert its previous near-misses into a definitive win, cementing its legacy before the season winds down.

Motorsport.com confirms the lineup details

The official announcement, reported by Motorsport.com, highlights the depth of the driver lineup. While Bourdais headlines the effort, the synergy with Altoè and Stevenson is critical. This combination of raw speed and endurance experience is designed to withstand the physical toll of the ten-hour race. The team’s focus remains singular: to deliver a win for GM and validate the Corvette Z06 GT3.R in its most competitive setting.