WEC: Deletraz and Kubica back to WRT
Team WRT today announced the driver line-up of the first of its two cars that will compete in the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship, in the LMP2 class. The ORLEN Team WRT Oreca 07 Gibson #41 of the Belgian squad will be entrusted to Rui Andrade, Louis Delétraz and Robert Kubica.
While Angolan driver Andrade will be contesting his second consecutive WEC campaign for Team WRT, both the Swiss, Delétraz, and Pole Kubica will be making a welcomed return to the squad. Delétraz and Kubica were crowned ELMS Champions with Team WRT in 2021, alongside Yifei Ye and after conquering three race wins.
The complete line-up of car #31 will be announced in due course, ahead of the first round of the 2023 WEC at Sebring on March 17.
Team WRT Principal Vincent Vosse: “As I said before, there wouldn’t be any surprises with our line ups! I’m so pleased that we get to work with drivers who we know very well. Louis and Robert were a fundamental part of our 2021 successes, where they became ELMS champions in our first season with the LMP2, and we all remember the dramatic last lap at Le Mans, which showed just how competitive they are together! It’s great to see them teamed up with Rui, we are going for a maximum attack strategy with our line ups in the 2023 season!”
Robert Kubica: “I am very happy to be back in the WRT family and to be representing ORLEN Team WRT, but this time in WEC, as we raced together and won the ELMS championship in car #41. It will be my third year with Louis, but my first with Rui, who I know well from the paddock and Louis has always spoken very highly of him from their time in IMSA together. It will be a big challenge to race in the WEC and of course at Le Mans, it would be nice to get one more lap this time, which we missed in 2021 when we lost the win in the last lap. We will stay focused, and we will work hard to achieve the best results possible!”
Rui Andrade: “2023 is shaping up to be an amazing year and I’m really happy to be reunited with Louis. We had a great time last season in IMSA, both on and off track, and I am looking forward to sharing the #41 car with him in the WEC. I am also very excited to welcome Robert on board, as he is an extraordinary driver with a lot of experience. I remember watching him in F1 and now to race alongside him is a privilege. We have a solid line-up, a competitive car and the best team behind us. Sebring can’t come soon enough!”
Louis Delétraz: “I’m extremely happy to be part of WRT’s WEC program. I started my full-time endurance career with the team in 2021 and I have many great memories with our ELMS title. It’s even more special coming back together with Robert and it will be the third year in a row we’re sharing a car! We have unfinished business in the WEC and at the 24H of Le Mans. Having Rui with us is fantastic, he’s a great driver and also a friend. We have already won races together in IMSA and I hope we can add many more to our CV this season. Thank you to everyone involved in making this program happen. I can’t wait to get started!”
