The Legendary Career of the Newest Le Mans Winner
Let’s dive into the incredible journey of Robert Kubica, now a Le Mans legend. At 40, he just won the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, co-driving the #83 Ferrari 499P with Yifei Ye and Phil Hanson, becoming the first Polish overall winner of the race. That victory for the AF Corse team marks Ferrari’s third straight win at Le Mans, but this moment isn’t just about speed; it’s the culmination of a story of heartbreak, resilience, and pure grit. For many fans, Kubica is more than a driver; he’s someone who fought back from near-total career collapse and made motorsport magic again. Remember back in 2008 when Kubica won the Canadian GP with BMW Sauber? He seemed destined for greatness, even linked to a move to Ferrari, but in 2011, while rallying, he was nearly killed, and his right forearm was partially amputated. That accident shattered his F1 dream. He fought back through surgery and rehab, eventually returning to racing in rallies and, later, F1 with Williams full season in 2019 and Alfa Romeo substituted Kimi Raikkonen for two races in 2021. It wasn’t easy, many doubted him, but Kubica wanted to prove he belonged, not just be a feel-good marketing story.
After F1, he turned to endurance racing. He climbed back into top gear, capturing the 2023 LMP2 World Endurance Championship with Team WRT and coming heartbreakingly close to Le Mans glory in 2021 before a technical failure on the final lap. Then, in 2025, he finally got his shot and seized it, driving nearly ten hours, including an intense final stint after nearly 35 hours awake, Kubica and the team overcame gearbox trouble to fend off Porsche and cross the finish line first. His race craft and endurance cemented a rare feat: winning both a Formula 1 Grand Prix and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a club shared only with Fernando Alonso this century. What makes this all the more powerful is the emotion behind it. Kubica admitted this victory was more than sport; it was personal redemption. His story even touched fans who don’t follow racing—some said they cried seeing his win. He’s a national hero in Poland and an inspiration worldwide. As he put it: “Make sure you think about day‑by‑day life … what is happening today is sometimes more important than what could happen next year”.
Looking back, Kubica’s career is one of sharp turns. From karting champion to Formula Renault titles, his meteoric rise in F1 culminated in a podium at Monza and that Canadian win. After a near-death tragedy in 2011, he made a shock return in rallies, then F1, then endurance racing, flagging no signs of quitting. Now, with Le Mans checked off the list, he sets his sights on a World Endurance Championship title—but he says if he had to choose, Le Mans would still be the one to treasure. Robert Kubica’s story is nothing short of legendary. From near-death to Le Mans triumph, he’s shown that determination beats adversity every time. He’s now part of an elite lineage, one shared by racing greats like Fernando Alonso. Whether he chases further titles or brings his spirit to inspiring others, he’s already left a permanent mark on motorsport, and for many, his journey remains the most cinematic comeback of all time.
