Kubica joins ByKolles for full WEC campaign

The former BMW Sauber and Renault Formula 1 star was listed by the Austrian outfit as its designated driver during the official unveiling of the WEC and Le Mans 24 Hours entry lists on Thursday.

Kubica, 32, tested the ByKolles CLM P1/01 last November during the WEC rookie test at Bahrain, and subsequently told Motorsport.com that the injuries that ended his F1 tenure would be no impediment to a career in endurance racing.

The Polish driver has only competed sporadically since ending his involvement in WRC at the end of 2015, most recently appearing in last month's Dubai's 24 Hours in a Porsche 911 GT3-R.

"After my time in rally I’ve been looking for something as close to Formula 1 as possible," said Kubica. "This is exactly what I’ve found in LMP1.

"At the end of last year’s WEC-Season, I was able to do my first laps behind the wheel of the CLM P1/01. I felt comfortable in the car very quickly and was able to increase my pace accordingly.

"With even more experience I’m sure I will be able to extract more performance. I’m already very much looking forward to the Prologue in Monza and the season start in Silverstone."

ByKolles has confirmed that Oliver Webb will also return to the team, but has yet to announce a third driver.

The ByKolles CLM is one of five LMP1 entries on the 2017 WEC entry list, alongside two cars apiece from Porsche and Toyota, although the latter will run a third car at Spa and the Le Mans 24 Hours.