Kubica and Jota have confirmed they may test drive with British team Porsche as they approach a contract to compete in the 2024 WEC.
Asked if he would drive Jota’s 963 in the WEC’s official test, which takes place the day after Saturday’s series finale at the Bahrain International Circuit, the Polish driver said only: “Maybe.”
When asked whether Kubica would be behind the wheel of the car raced by Antonio Felix da Costa, Will Stevens and Yifei Ye in this WEC season, Jota team principal Sam Hignett said: “It hasn’t been decided yet.” No,” he answered.
However, he revealed that negotiations to add Kubica to Jota’s expanding two-car field in next year’s WEC hypercar class are “definitely moving toward a conclusion.”
Kubica is one of a trio of former F1 stars who are in talks with the team to expand to a two-car system next year.
The team has confirmed that F1 world champions Sebastian Vettel and Jenson Button are in line to drive next year.
Jota is one of two 963s sponsored by rental car giant Hertz, and it appears they are trying to form a “super team” of sorts, but Hignett is not guaranteed to have one car, no matter which star player he signs. There was no need for them to race together in their cars.
Hignett has confirmed that Formula E race winner Norman Nato will test a Jota Porsche in Bahrain.
Photo courtesy: JEP / Motorsport Images
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The Frenchman, who has top-class WEC experience with the Rebellion LMP1 team, has already fitted the 963 seat.
The Andretti Porsche driver is believed to be seen as a replacement for Jota stalwart Da Costa, who will not be able to join the team next year as Porsche wants to focus on its FE campaign.
Pietro Fittipaldi, who is racing in LMP2 for Jota in this year’s WEC, will no longer be given a tryout with Porsche.
The Brazilian was listed as an opponent for this car in the latest entry list published for testing, but has signed an IndyCar contract with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing and will be in the running for next year. No longer a candidate for Drive.