Kubica heads to WEC for full-time LMP1 gig

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Former BMW and Renault F1 driver will contest the entire FIA World Endurance Championship with the ByKolles LMP1 team.

Kubica enjoyed a very satisfactory test with the LMP1 outfit in Bahrain back in November, and believed at the time that a full WEC schedule was a possibility.

The Pole attempted to branch out into the WRC after recovering from a heavy arm injury sustained in a rally in 2011 which put an end to his F1 career.

He now has set his sights on road racing once again, contesting last month's Dubai 24 Hour race with 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."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.