• News

Kubica to drive full WRC car at Wales Rally GB

Robert Kubica will drive at Wales Rally GB © Getty Images

Enlarge

Robert Kubica will take part in Wales Rally GB in a full-blooded Citroen DS3 WRC car after impressing in WRC2 this year.

After winning in his last outing at Rallye de France, Kubica and co-driver Maciek Baran can seal the WRC2 title with a second-place finish in Spain at the end of the month. As a result of his success he has been rewarded with a drive in the top level of the sport at the final round of the season, Wales Rally GB, for the Abu Dhabi Citroen team.

The decision to drive a full WRC car in Wales was not part of his initial plans for this season, but he said he could not turn down the opportunity.

"This one-off outing for the works team is a great opportunity for me, but it's also a huge challenge," Kubica said. "Wales Rally GB wasn't part of my original programme, so I'm very happy to be able to have this precious experience. I would like to take this opportunity to thank my partners for this season, who have made this possible."

Yves Matton, Citroen Racing team principal, added: "In my discussions with Robert, we agreed that he would move up to the next category if he won the WRC2 title. It's true that as things stand, he hasn't won the title. But even if he doesn't win it in Spain, he has still had a very successful season. He is therefore perfectly entitled to have a go at Wales Rally GB.

"There is no doubt that his motivation and professional attitude mean he can set his sights on securing a good result."

Kubica's WRC2 campaign this year has been his first full season of competition since his near-fatal rally accident in 2011. The injuries sustained in the crash meant he had to put his F1 career on hold and it is still uncertain whether he will ever make a full return.

However, his debut in the top-flight of rallying is a positive sign as he goes head-to-head with some of the best drivers in the world, including Volkswagen's Sebastien Ogier, this year's champion.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.