Kubica's 2020 DTM entry in privateer BMW to be announce on Thursday

As predicted last month, Kubica will switch to the touring car series in 2020 after losing his Williams Formula 1 drive to Nicholas Latifi.

Kubica stated his intention to race in the category several times in 2019 and tested the BMW M4 at Jerez in December.

Though BMW finalised its factory line-up last week, Kubica has managed to secure a DTM berth in a customer team bankrolled by PKN Orlen, which also backed his F1 return in 2019.

It is unclear which operation will be responsible for running the team, though both Motopark and Porsche Supercup squad Fach Auto Tech have been ruled out as possible contenders.

BMW will not have to build a new M4 for Kubica, as the 35-year-old old will instead be racing with the same test car he drove at Jerez two months ago.

A formal announcement confirming Kubica's DTM entry will be made at a press conference hosted by PKN Orlen in Poland on Thursday.

The energy company has widespread presence in Germany, the DTM's home market.

Kubica's existing reserve driver role with the Alfa Romeo F1 team is not expected to be affected by his DTM race seat.

His arrival will bump up the size of the DTM field to 15 cars, a tally still three short of the 18-car grid the DTM enjoyed last season following the exit of the R-Motorsport Aston Martin squad.

Eighth BMW entry possible

It is speculated that a second customer entrant may join Kubica in 2020, who could come from BMW's junior driver roster.

This would also allow BMW to share the cost of running the two-car customer team.

If the second BMW customer entry materialises, it will take the total size of the grid to 16 cars.

The DTM has been hit hard by the recent departure of R-Motorsport, which announced its exit from the series after just one season last month.

Eight Audis - including two cars run by privateer outfit WRT - are confirmed, while Kubica's deal will bring the count of BMWs up to seven for the Zolder season opener in May.