Hertz Team JOTA Clinches Hypercar World Cup in Fuji Thriller
The 6 Hours of Fuji delivered a nail-biting finale to the FIA World Endurance Championship’s Hypercar World Cup, with Hertz Team JOTA emerging victorious. The #12 Porsche 963, piloted by Will Stevens, Callum Ilott, and Norman Nato, secured the coveted title through consistent performances throughout the season.
This triumph marks a significant milestone for the privateer outfit, working closely with Porsche in their debut hypercar season. Their journey to the top hasn’t been without challenges, making the victory all the sweeter.
A Season of Ups and Downs
The road to championship glory was far from smooth for Hertz Team JOTA. Following technical issues at Circuit of the Americas, the team had to regroup and conduct additional testing before heading to Fuji. This dedication to problem-solving and continuous improvement exemplifies the relentless spirit that defines top-tier endurance racing teams.
Will Stevens, reflecting on the season, noted, “For us as a team, being a privateer working closely with Porsche, it was crucial to secure this title. It’s a fitting reward for all the hard work we’ve put into this program.”
Team Chemistry: A Key to Success
One of the standout features of Hertz Team JOTA’s campaign has been the camaraderie between drivers Stevens, Ilott, and Nato. Their ability to work seamlessly together, both on and off the track, has been a cornerstone of their success.
Callum Ilott emphasized the team’s resilience, stating, “This team works incredibly hard. It’s not easy with how complex these cars are, especially when we’ve had to rebuild a couple of times now. But we keep delivering strong performances.”
Norman Nato, who missed the Spa-Francorchamps round, added, “There’s a really good atmosphere within the team, and it always leads to better luck when you can work in these conditions.”
Season Highlights
While the championship win at Fuji stands out, the team’s performance throughout the year has been remarkably consistent. Stevens pointed to two key moments:
- The season opener in Qatar, marking their first race together as a trio
- Their breakthrough victory at Spa-Francorchamps, proving they could compete for overall wins
“We went into this saying we didn’t want to just make up the numbers,” Stevens explained. “We wanted to compete overall and show we could win races. And we did that.”
Looking Ahead to Bahrain
With the Hypercar World Cup secured, Hertz Team JOTA is setting its sights on a strong finish to the season in Bahrain. The pressure is off, allowing the team to adopt a more aggressive strategy for the finale.
Ilott hinted at their approach: “Now that we’ve wrapped this one up, we can go all out attacking in Bahrain and finish on a high.”
A Testament to Privateer Power
Hertz Team JOTA’s triumph is a reminder of the potential for well-organized privateer teams to challenge factory efforts in top-tier motorsport. Their success story adds an exciting dimension to the Hypercar class, promising even more intense competition in the seasons to come.
As the champagne settles and the team prepares for the season finale, one thing is clear: Hertz Team JOTA has etched its name in endurance racing history. Their journey from underdogs to champions is a testament to skill, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of motorsport.
“We don’t want to be here just to make up numbers. We want to compete overall and show that we can win races.” – Will Stevens
With the Hypercar World Cup in hand and momentum on their side, all eyes will be on Hertz Team JOTA as they head to Bahrain. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to what has been a remarkable season in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
