LE MANS, France – Cadillac returned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the first time in over two decades this year, scoring its first podium finish in the iconic endurance race and building on its impressive Le Mans legacy.

The No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R, co-driven by Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook, earned third place in the brand’s first appearance at Le Mans in 21 years, helped along by strong reliability, the ability to run a relatively clean race and consistent pit stops. The Cadillac crest was front and center on the 8.45-mile course for the more than 300,000 race day spectators to see and cheer every time the 5.5L DOHC naturally aspirated-powered car roared past.

"Great to be back at Le Mans after 21 years and even more special as it was in the centenary year for Le Mans," said Rory Harvey, president, GM North America. "Fantastic that all three Cadillacs finished, with the pinnacle being the No. 2 Cadillac getting on the podium. Fantastic job by all involved and proud of the team. We will take time to evaluate the race and understand how we can do even better moving forward."

Cadillac’s history at Le Mans dates back to 1950, when Briggs Cunningham and S.H. Allard entered two Cadillac 61 Coupes in the race to much fanfare, but with less-than-desired results. Allard, who owned a low-volume car manufacturing business, also finished third in the race with his own Cadillac V-8-powered Allard J2. This was the brand’s first appearance at Circuit de la Sarthe.

Cadillac returned to Le Mans in 2000-2002 with the Northstar LMP, but again did not secure the results it worked hard to achieve.

With this year’s impressive Le Mans result, Cadillac and the No. 2 Cadillac V-Series.R entry have moved into third in the FIA World Endurance Championship Manufacturer and Team/Driver Championship standings heading into Round 5 of the championship in Monza, Italy.

"I couldn't be more proud of all three Cadillacs crossing the finish line, which I think is a huge feat at this race especially considering everything that happened,” said GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser. “This is the busiest Le Mans that I can remember for the past few years and we were able to have such a strong finish. We can't wait to be back next year and go for that top step."

The No. 3 Cadillac V-Series.R finished fourth after an adventurous race with Sebastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande and Scott Dixon. The No. 3 team had to pit once to change the rear-wing assembly after being clipped by another car and once to change the front assembly following a spin on a drenched racetrack. The team was also forced to sit for an untimely one-minute hold penalty for a technical infraction.

The No. 311 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-Series.R sustained damage in a Lap 1 incident at the exit of the Daytona Chicane. The crew quickly and seamlessly worked to return the car to the racetrack, and Alexander Sims, Pipo Derani and Jack Aitken soldiered on to place 10th in class.

Both teams will now prepare for the IMSA Grand Touring Prototype race on June 25 at Watkins Glen International.