Dieter Gass has been confirmed as Hertz Team Jota’s Team Principal, leading its FIA World Endurance Championship (FIA WEC) programme in the top Hypercar class.
With more than 20 years’ experience working at the highest levels of motorsport – including within Formula 1 (with Toyota), the FIA WEC, DTM and Formula E – Gass will lead the team for its maiden year in the championship’s new category.
Dieter’s sportscar career started in the mid 1990s with involvement in the short-lived Bugatti GT programme at Le Mans and in IMSA.
Major success came a little later with involvement in four victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours in addition to consecutive winning WEC programmes in 2012 and 2013 with Audi.
Since 2017, Dieter has overseen all Audi motorsport activities. During this time, he has led a dominant DTM programme claiming three triple Manufacturers’, Drivers’ and Teams’ championships in four years between 2017 & 2020.
Gass was instrumental in making the decision for Audi to enter Formula E before later overseeing a Drivers’ Championship in 2016/2017 and a Manufacturers’ title in 2017/2018.
Hertz Team JOTA will be the only British team competing in the top class of the FIA WEC in 2023
Portugal’s António Félix da Costa, Britain’s Will Stevens and China’s Yifei Ye will drive Hertz Team Jota’s ‘Mighty 38’ Porsche 963.
The livery for the 2023 Championship will be revealed ahead of the season’s first round in Sebring, Florida.
Dieter Gass, Hertz Team JOTA Principal: “Hertz Team JOTA is a new entrant into WEC’s hypercar class, built upon long term racing pedigree and an innovative approach to bringing new fans to the championship. We have a strong mix of skill and youthful potential in our drivers and an experienced engineering and technical team. I look forward to working alongside the team, where we hope to challenge for race wins and championship honours.”
David Clark and Sam Hignett, Hertz Team JOTA Directors: “Dieter brings a wealth of experience and knowledge that we believe will take Hertz Team JOTA forward over the coming years. We’re stepping up to the Hypercar class and competing against some of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers. Dieter has lived and breathed competitive motorsport at the highest level and will help build on our foundations to bring our historical success to the top class of endurance racing.”
