Two-time IMSA champion Joao Barbosa has been dropped from Mustang Sampling’s Cadillac DPi line-up for the remainder of 2020 IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship.
Barbosa had been partnering Sebastien Bourdais aboard the #5 Cadillac DPi-VR for the 2020 campaign, which has been run by JDC-Miller Motorsports since the beginning of the season.
The pair started the season with three consecutive podium finishes, finishing third in the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Weathertech 240 at Daytona and Cadillac Grand Prix of Sebring, but has since dropped down the standings and now sits fifth in the DPi championship.
“We can’t thank João enough for making the move with us to JDC-Miller MotorSports this year as we embarked on the next chapter for Mustang Sampling Racing in IMSA’s premier class,” said Ken Thompson, team CEO and president. “The impact that João made in helping the team take the first step in a performance increase was immeasurable and for that we are extremely grateful.
“João has been and continues to be one of the greatest ambassador’s for sports car racing in the United States and globally. As he focuses on the next chapter of his career, Brenda and I wish him the best in all his future endeavors. He’s been with us every step of the way since we joined IMSA in 2015 and been a key to our championships and race wins.”
Barbosa has been driving Mustang Sampling-liveried prototype machinery in the top class of the championship ever since 2015. During that time, he took seven race wins, including the 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona, and captured the championship in 2015.
Barbosa’s place aboard the #5 Cadillac will be taken by Tristan Vautier as the team evaluates its line-up for the 2021 season, which it says will be revealed at a later date.
“When we joined JDC-Miller MotorSports at the beginning of the year, we knew that there would be some areas to grow in our efforts of chasing another IMSA Championship,” said Thompson. “We were thrilled to start the season with three straight podiums but understand there’s still work to be done and the best thing we can do is use the remaining events in the 2020 season to prepare for 2021. Our focus remains on winning the championship and powering our partners at Cadillac to another manufacturers title this season.”
Vautier and Bourdais will return to the wheel of the Cadillac DPi-VR for the final DPi rounds of the season, which will see them partner Loic Duval at Petit Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring.
“Racing is constantly evolving,” said driver Sebastien Bourdais. “Despite evolutions, as a driver you approach every race with the singular focus of winning. If you’re focused on winning, pushing the car to it’s limits, everything else will fall into place. I’m looking forward to finishing the year on a strong note and making every effort to get the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R into victory lane.”
