sevendayweekender – The 24 Hours of Le Mans is more than just a race. It is a brutal test of endurance, concentration, and mental toughness. Drivers hurtle down public roads at over 200 mph, often in complete darkness. The only guides are distant headlights, the whirring of engines, and sheer muscle memory. Competing here means pushing every human sense to its limits.
In 2025, Robert Kubica conquered this test at 40 years old. The Polish driver raced in one of the world’s toughest competitions despite the lasting effects of a rally crash in 2011. His right arm, permanently damaged, no longer functions as it once did. Yet Kubica’s grit and adaptability turned what many saw as a limitation into a symbol of strength.
Driving over three and a half hours in total, across five separate stints, Kubica helped secure a dramatic win for the AF Corse team. The Polish driver burned an estimated 12,000 to 13,000 calories during the event, staying laser-focused while exhaustion took its toll. Victory at Le Mans is a dream for many; for Kubica, it’s a hard-earned validation of both his skill and his spirit.
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The Accident That Changed Everything
In 2011, Kubica’s career path changed forever. After showing enormous promise in Formula 1 with teams like BMW Sauber and Renault, he entered the Ronde di Andora rally during F1’s off-season. His car collided with a guardrail, and he became trapped inside for over an hour.
The crash nearly cost him his life. Surgeons battled to save his right arm, which suffered partial amputation and long-term nerve damage. Kubica’s promising F1 career was halted. Many assumed he would never race at a high level again.
Despite these doubts, Kubica never gave up. Through years of therapy and adaptation, he found a way back into motorsport. He learned to operate cars differently, compensating for his limitations with extraordinary technique and precision. He describes racing as “the best medicine” during his recovery and his most natural state of being.
Return to Formula 1 and the Unfinished Business
Kubica returned to Formula 1 in 2019 with Williams. The team was uncompetitive, and he struggled to match the pace of rookie teammate George Russell. Critics quickly questioned his ability to compete at the top level.
Kubica, however, knew that racing in F1 was never going to be easy. The cockpit of a Formula 1 car is tight, and his right arm’s limitations made driving even more complex. Still, he insisted on earning his seat through merit, not sentiment.
“I would never come back just for show,” he said. “I’m not a PR figure.” His season didn’t produce results, but his determination won respect. Now, with a Le Mans win, Kubica has silenced many of those who once doubted him.
Victory with AF Corse and the Birth of a New Chapter
Kubica’s win came with AF Corse, a private entry backed by Ferrari. The car’s striking yellow livery paid tribute to Ferrari’s early roots in Modena before the brand moved to Maranello. Though AF Corse is closely connected to the Ferrari factory, their entry was seen as an outsider compared to the official red-liveried works team.
Alongside Kubica were Chinese driver Ye Yifei and British driver Phil Hanson. Neither of them came into the race as favourites. Yet this unlikely trio defied expectations. Ye became the first Chinese driver to win Le Mans, and Hanson proved himself a calm, capable presence.
Kubica was not just a co-driver but a leader within the team. “We call him the technical director,” said Ye. Kubica’s immense racing knowledge and sharp feedback helped shape the car’s performance throughout the weekend.
Passion That Fuels the Future
Despite his many battles, Kubica’s desire to race remains undiminished. He continues to treat every race as a blessing. “I’m probably the luckiest person in the world,” he said. “Racing is my life, and I’m still doing what I love.”
His days revolve around preparation. Every meal, workout, and moment of rest is planned around the goal of being race-ready. Retirement, while inevitable, is something he is not yet willing to face.
“The fire is still there,” Kubica says. “Stopping would be a big and scary decision.” For now, motorsport remains both his purpose and his sanctuary. After a journey of immense pain, doubt, and perseverance, Robert Kubica’s Le Mans victory is not just a win—it is a powerful symbol of what determination can achieve.
