Hertz Team JOTA Announces Solid Cast For WEC 2024 that would make Tom Brady proud
For a team that has sponsorship ties with Tom Brady, Hertz Team JOTA seems to have scored some touchdowns, adding three new drivers for the upcoming 2024 WEC season.
JOTA will field two cars next season -- the #12, in honor of Brady, and features drivers Oliver Rasmussen, Phil Hanson and a third driver still to be named -- and the #38, which will feature drivers of Will Stevens, Norman Nato and former IndyCar pilot Callum Illot.
Illot, Nato and Hanson were the new additions that came for the program, Illot being the big one after his release from IndyCar team Juncos Racing just over a month ago.
Nato comes over from Formula E after competing with Nissan's group last season, while Hanson adds another Porsche entry to drive on his calendar, competing in an endurance role with JDC-Miller Motorsports in the GTP class in IMSA.
Illot will truly be the key player here, even though his goal is still to get back into IndyCar in some capacity.
While Illot should play a solid role within the team, with JOTA looking to go all-in for next season similar to what some of the other Hypercar teams are planning for, this opportunity for Illot seems like a one-year situation just to be able to bridge a gap to try and rejoin IndyCar.
However, even if Illot can't make it for the full season in North America's top open-wheel series, there is still a possibility that we could see Ilott in some sort of capacity in a race such as the Indianapolis 500, one of the more prestigious races on the schedule.
In regards to the TBA driver listed for the #12 car, rumors have been circulating that the driver to be named could be 2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button.
While this may seem perplexing, given driving for Acura with Wayne Taylor Racing in IMSA, Acura does not have any presence on the Hypercar grid, leading to what might be a deal to run with two manufacturers between both respective series.
It would be fitting if Button is the sixth and final man, not only signifying the amount of Super Bowls Brady won with the New England Patriots, but also a driver who has won in the world's most prominent series, something that Brady can relate to.
Nevertheless, JOTA for next season is trying to play with the big boys and with five Porsches scheduled to be on the grid for 2024, strength in numbers may truly be a factor for the upcoming year.