Kubica Confirms Talks with JOTA for Hypercar Drive

Robert Kubica has held talks with Hertz Team JOTA about a move to join the British squad’s customer Porsche 963 operation in 2024.

The Polish driver told Sportscar365 that conversations between himself and JOTA have taken place as he seeks a way to step up to the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar class next year.

JOTA is set to expand its customer Porsche 963 effort by incorporating a second car next year, with German media previously linking a variety of ex-F1 talent to the effort.

While team co-owner Sam Hignett denied the involvement of Kimi Raikkonen to Sportscar365 several weeks ago, Kubica for his part confirmed that the two parties have been in contact.

“There’s no secret I’m in touch with JOTA and it’s not a secret that one of the options has been JOTA for a long time,” Kubica told Sportscar365.

JOTA is set to have at least one seat vacancy in its No. 38 Porsche next year after Antonio Felix da Costa announced on Monday that he would be taking a hiatus from WEC competition.

Kubica praised JOTA, noting it would be a strong option to consider if a factory deal fails to materialize elsewhere.

“I will become 39 in December in such a competitive class as it is, [which] will become even more competitive next year,” he said.

“Hypercar I think is very difficult for privateers, I’m not saying it’s impossible but it is a big challenge to go and compete against factories. I think JOTA has all the ingredients in place, although I never raced there.

“To put it in a different way, if I would be a car manufacturer which wants to enter WEC, probably JOTA would be the first one I would call.

“I have big respect, I raced against them. Yes, it’s a private team but I think it’s operating in a very good way and although I’ve never been there, I have big respect for the team.”

Kubica said that a potential JOTA link-up was not his initial choice, indicating that an earlier deal elsewhere fell through.

“There are a few talks going on,” he said. “If I have to be frankly honest, I had my, let’s say, preferred option and I thought this would be done already a long time ago.

“Unfortunately, it has not been done so honestly, I’m trying to find out the best possible slot for myself as you try to do always and hopefully I will make the correct decisions.”

When pressed if he was referring to a role with Team WRT’s factory BMW effort in the WEC, Kubica downplayed those chances, saying: “There have been some early talks but I think this is not the destination.”

Kubica Focused on WEC, Daytona Return Possible

Kubica added that a seat in WEC takes preference over a move to the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, although he left the door open for a return to the Rolex 24 at Daytona

“I focus on WEC and I see my future here. My priority is WEC,” he said.

Kubica made one previously appearance in the WeatherTech Championship, joining Dennis Andersen, Anders Fjordbach and Ferdinand Habsburg in a High Class Racing-entered Oreca 07 Gibson at Daytona.

However, early gearbox problems curtailed the Danish-flagged squad’s run to such an extent that Kubica never actually turned any laps in the race.

He revealed that he holds an interest to return to Daytona as part of a GTP lineup, but stressed that firming up his WEC plans would take priority over a return to the WeatherTech Championship.

“IMSA is a very competitive championship,” he said. “I think you need to kind of be there to become a driver and to be on the market and there have been some talks for me to do Daytona.

“It was some talks regarding LMDh, but I have to first sort out my WEC [drive] and sort out my priorities and then we’ll see.”