Ending months of speculation, the former Formula One driver confirmed his plans in a press release today, the deadline for entries for the upcoming Rallye Monte-Carlo.
Having called time on his relationship with Citroen, the car will be run by M-Sport, with backing from Kubica’s long term sponsor, Polish oil company Lotos.
“I am really glad that I will participate in all 13 rounds of the World Rally Championship with the Fiesta RS WRC,” said Kubica.
“The support of my partner, Lotos Group, combined with the knowledge and experience of M-Sport will create a solid foundation for my further development and I am looking forward to gathering valuable experience on the WRC stages.”
A full programme in a world rally car represents a big step up for the 29-year-old Pole who only made his WRC debut at this year’s Rally de Portugal in the WRC 2 class.
But despite his inexperience, Kubica went on to take the WRC 2 title, winning five from the seven rallies he started in a Citroen DS3 RRC alongside co-driver Maciek Baran.
He ended 2013 with his first event in a world rally car, driving a Citroen DS3 WRC on Wales Rally GB accompanied by new co-driver Michele Ferrara. However it proved to be disappointing finale, with two crashes bringing his rally to a premature end. There is no news yet on the identity of Kubica’s co-driver for 2014.
M-Sport boss Malcolm Wilson said he was ‘thrilled’ that Kubica will switch to a Fiesta. “Since he burst onto the WRC scene earlier this year, we have been very keen to have him on-board and I think that we can expect some great things from him in 2014,” he said.
“You only have to look at the way Robert prepared for the 2013 season to see what it all means to him. He has a desire and a hunger which you don’t see in many drivers and I truly believe that M-Sport can offer him all the right tools to move forward in rallying.
