WTR’s Albuquerque Hoping to “Catch a Break” in Detroit

Photo: Brandon Badraoui/IMSA

Filipe Albuquerque says he’s hoping that he and co-driver Ricky Taylor will be able to “catch a break” in this weekend’s Chevrolet Detroit Sports Car Classic, after what’s been a two-year winless streak for the Wayne Taylor Racing duo.

Albuquerque and Taylor, whose last IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship victory came in 2024, in the series’ first visit to the downtown Detroit street circuit, have scored just four podium finishes in the 17 GTP races since.

One of those podiums came in last year’s 100-minute sprint race, which marked the team’s first top-three result since returning to Cadillac machinery, which Albuquerque feels could help turn their fortunes around.

“The new Detroit has been kind to the 10 car,” he said. “Two years ago, we won not with true pace, but on strategy, [with] me and Ricky.

“Last year, we did as well, a good comeback from starting [eighth]. We were doing well, and did good strategy as well, had a good pit stop.

“I think anyone could have won that race between Ricky and Renger [van der Zande] and unfortunately they won.

“We want to catch a break, to be honest, this season, and hopefully Detroit [can be] a good [breakthrough]. Let’s hope it is again.”

Success in Detroit would mark a significant turnaround in the No. 10 crew’s season, which has been marred by retirements in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and most recent outing at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, as well as being stripped of a podium finish in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring due to a camber-related infraction.

“It was not easy for sure to take the Laguna event, especially when the 40 was so competitive,” said Albuquerque.

“I think the problem was very simple, to be honest. It’s trying to win it at all costs when there are multiple strategies playing and trying to keep the car up there when you eventually you fall into a situation that you didn’t want, but your desire to win is big.

“I think that’s where he got us up and… I think we need to break this [negative] momentum that Wayne Taylor Racing is going through now, and maybe just take just a podium instead of a win when you maybe had the speed to win or not.

“Take a podium, solidify it there, and then it comes.

“When things are going well, it goes even better. When things are going wrong, it goes even worse. So, it’s a little bit what’s happening this year on the 10 car.

“We show glances of greatness and speed, and then sometimes something happens. But again, I think that was a lesson [to] take it step-by-step, even if you have the car to win, maybe because of the strategy is not falling to your side or just take it relaxed.”

With either the Nos. 10 or 40 WTR Cadillac V-Series.Rs yet to visit victory lane since the team’s manufacturer switch last year, Albuquerque is hoping Detroit could be their chance.

“We are with Cadillac, which is a brand that is expected to win,” he said. “We are always motivated, even if sometimes we get disappointed at some results, like the last one, and contact with the GT that happened and threw everything off.

“I think [at] Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing, we are way better this year on pace. I think we just need to narrow down, because we see sometimes the 10, sometimes the 40, we are alternating on pace, and we are trying to lock that down to be both consistent on the front row.

“We have not achieved that yet, but again, anytime can be the moment.”

Source: Sports Car 365