Kubica silences critics with historic Le Mans victory

Le Mans Win Proves Injury Doubters Wrong – Robert Kubica

Robert Kubica has delivered a stunning statement of resilience by winning the 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours, 14 years after a near-fatal rally crash left him with a severely damaged right arm and derailed his promising Formula 1 career.

The 40-year-old Pole, driving for the privately entered AF Corse Ferrari team, completed over three and a half hours of racing in five stints, helping secure a landmark win alongside teammates Ye Yifei and Phil Hanson.

“I don’t think my limitations are limiting behind the wheel,” Kubica declared after the race. “I’ve proven the doubts should never have been there.”

From Rally Tragedy to Endurance Triumph

Phil Hanson and Ye Yifei partnered Kubica to victory at Le Mans

Kubica’s journey back to the top of motorsport has been anything but easy. After his 2008 Canadian Grand Prix win, he was considered a potential world champion. But in 2011, a crash at the Ronde di Andora rally resulted in multiple fractures and the partial amputation of his right arm.

“At one period of my recovery, driving was my best medicine. I may have limitations, but when I’m in the car, I’m fully in myself,” he said.

Despite a much-celebrated return to Formula 1 with Williams in 2019, Kubica struggled with the physical limitations imposed by the tight cockpit and a poor-performing car, often outpaced by teammate George Russell.

Making Le Mans History With AF Corse

Kubica’s AF Corse car—a yellow-liveried Ferrari 499P—won in style, outperforming factory-entered Ferraris and defying the odds in a race where few had given them a chance.

Ye Yifei, who became the first Chinese driver to win Le Mans, praised Kubica not just for his driving, but for his technical insight:

“We call him the ‘technical director’ too—he brings so much knowledge.”

“The Fire Is Still There”

Kubica winning the Canadian Grand Prix in 2008

Kubica admitted that doubts from others—and himself—were real. But the win at Le Mans reignites his spirit and silences the critics.

“People said it might not be safe, that I was a marketing tool. They don’t say that anymore,” he said.

“The passion is still there. Racing is everything to me. Stopping would be a scary decision.”

Key Stats:

Age: 40
Teammates: Ye Yifei (CHN), Phil Hanson (GBR)
Team: AF Corse Ferrari (Private Entry)
Time in Car: 3.5+ hours
Calories Burned: ~12,000
Previous F1 Team: BMW Sauber, Renault, Williams