Kubica wins 'mental battle' to triumph at Le Mans
Former Formula One driver Robert Kubica has long since tackled the demons of a near-fatal accident 14 years ago but Sunday's victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans is arguably his greatest achievement yet.
The 40-year-old Pole roared to victory in his bright yellow "privateer" Ferrari to give the Italian marque a third consecutive win in the most famous endurance race in the world.
In a thrilling 93rd edition of the race, which saw the top four separated by just over 20 seconds going into the final 15 minutes, Kubica and his AF Corse co-drivers Philip Hanson and Ye Yifei (#83) finished just 14.084sec ahead of a Porsche (#6) driven by Kevin Estre, Matt Campbell and Laurens Vanthoor.
In so doing they knocked the two factory Ferraris, who started the race as favourites, into third and fourth.
"It's been a long 24 hours but an enjoyable one. Grazie mille, grazie a tutti," said Kubica over the team radio as he took the chequered flag.
Kubica was one of Formula One's brightest prospects when he won the 2008 Canada Grand Prix but a harrowing accident in a rally in Andorra in 2011 almost cost him his life.
Trapped upside down in his car before being freed and whisked to hospital, Kubica suffered several serious injuries and underwent a partial amputation of his right forearm.
"What happened was very unfortunate, but I was very lucky," he said after Sunday's victory.
"It took me quite a few years, not only to recover physically but also mentally.
"What happened happened and I have to accept it. One of the worst periods of my life was when my mind wouldn't accept the fact that my arm was failing."
He returned to racing cars, however, winning the WRC2 championship and taking part in sports car races. In 2017 he moved back into Formula One, testing for Renault before racing for Williams in 2019.
But Sunday's win which made him the first Pole ever to win Le Mans tops any of his other achievements behind the wheel.
"It was quite difficult to live with, but I'm happy to have achieved my personal goals," he said.
"The best thing I've achieved in my life - it's nothing to do with racing - it's more the battle I won with my mind."
Both of Kubica's co-drivers were also first-time winners with Ye the first Chinese driver to triumph.
"I'm at a loss for words," said Ye who arrived in Le Mans at the age of 14 on an exchange programme to try and become a professional driver.
"It's going to take me some time to realise everything that's happened today. Right now I feel like I'm dreaming. Maybe in two seconds I'll wake up and none of this will exist.
"In China, the car industry has come a long way. When my father was my age, there were no cars on the roads, and we're talking about the 1990s. Becoming a professional driver was impossible."
With three of the top four, it was certainly a good day for Ferrari but there will undoubtedly be some at headquarters in Maranello who might not be so happy.
As the winning car was not entered directly by the manufacturer, but by the AF Corse team, Ferrari will not take the points for victory in the World Endurance Championship.
Cadillac locked out the front row of the grid but #12 of Will Stephens, who had taken pole, had to settle for fifth with the second car (#38), featuring former Formula One world champion Jensen Button, coming home in eighth.
hdy-cpb/ll/bsp/mw
FERRARI N.V.
PORSCHE AUTOMOBIL HOLDING
Renault
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
6 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Russell triumphs in Canada as McLaren drivers crash
George Russell secured Mercedes' first win of the season in the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday as McLaren's championship-chasing drivers crashed in the final laps of an intriguing and hectic race. The 27-year-old Briton beat close rival and four-time world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull by 0.228 seconds under the safety car to claim his fourth career victory with his teenage Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli finishing third. The 18-year-old Italian rookie became the third-youngest podium finisher in Formula One history, showing composure in resisting late intense late pressure from championship leader Oscar Piastri of McLaren, who survived a collision with team-mate Lando Norris, on his way to fourth. That ensured he extended his lead in the drivers' standings to 22 points ahead of Norris who crashed into him on lap 67 of the 70-lap race, breaking his front wing as he attempted to pass on the straight. "Yep, I'm sorry," said Norris of his crash with Piastri. "It's all my bad, all my fault. Unlucky, sorry. Stupid from me." Charles Leclerc finished fifth ahead of Ferrari team-mate Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin and Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg. Esteban Ocon finished ninth for Haas, marking their 200th race with a solid points finish, ahead of Carlos Sainz for Williams. Russell was delighted to deliver his team's first win since the Las Vegas Grand Prix last year. "It's amazing to be back on the top step. The last time was Vegas and last year here felt like it was a victory lost. But today we obviously got the victory thanks to that incredible pole lap and I am so happy to see Kimi on the podium as well." Verstappen was quick to congratulate both Mercedes drivers. "It was quite a good race although we were struggling on the tyres in the first two stints. We had an aggressive strategy and we managed to hang in there. And this was the maximum possible for us today." Antonelli was greeted enthusiastically by the big crowd at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve with his name chanted as he took his podium place. "It was so stressful," he said. "But I am super happy! I had a good start, managed to jump to P3, and just stayed up there in the front. I am so happy to bring this podium home." The top six were all on mediums when the lights went out, Russell reacting quickest to pull clear while Antonelli passed Piastri for third. Verstappen clung on to Russell's early pace, staying within a second of him throughout the opening five laps, and three clear of Antonelli, as he tried to put him under pressure, but by lap seven the Mercedes was 1.5 seconds clear. Verstappen rejoined ninth as Russell reacted and pitted, returning in seventh on hards before Antonelli pitted from the lead on lap 15 leaving Piastri leading Norris in a McLaren 1-2. Piastri pitted on lap 17 for hards, gifting Norris the lead after starting seventh on hards. After a bright start, Hamilton pitted on lap 16 and came out trapped 10th in traffic, with reported damage to his car, that delayed his pursuit before Russell, on lap 26, swept past Leclerc for second. Two laps later, Leclerc pitted for more hards followed by Norris, who took mediums. "I don't understand this choice," complained Leclerc, knowing it meant he had to pit again. All this restored Russell and Verstappen to lead again ahead of Antonelli and Piastri with Norris charging in fifth, ahead of the two Ferraris. Verstappen was early to pit again, on lap 37, but with a fast out-lap passed Antonelli, as Mercedes responded in vain to the Red Bull under-cut and began the second stops. Only five seconds separated the top four as they began a furious final 10-lap dash to the flag that resulted in the McLarens battling wheel-to-wheel for fourth place near the end when Norris hit the rear of his team-mate's car and crashed out of the race. str/mw Mercedes-Benz Group
India Today
7 hours ago
- India Today
Gennaro Gattuso replaces Luciano Spalletti as Italy national team coach
Former AC Milan and Napoli boss Gennaro Gattuso has been appointed head coach of the Italy national football team, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) announced on Sunday. Gattuso takes over from Luciano Spalletti, who was dismissed last week following a 3-0 defeat to Norway in Italy's opening World Cup 47, will be officially presented on Thursday at Rome's Parco dei Principi Hotel. FIGC President Gabriele Gravina praised the appointment, calling Gattuso 'a symbol of Italian football,' and said his passion, experience, and professionalism will be key in leading the Azzurri through a crucial motivation and complete dedication to this challenge reflects his deep connection with the blue jersey," Gravina said in a statement. "We believe he is the right man to lead the national team forward as we aim for World Cup qualification." Spalletti, who had been in charge for less than two years, managed his final game in a 2-0 win over Moldova just days after confirming his sacking. Italy are currently third in Group I and will next face Estonia in Bergamo on September 5, followed by a clash against Israel in a 2006 World Cup winner with 73 caps for Italy, has signed a one-year contract through to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He most recently coached Croatian side Hajduk Split, departing by mutual consent after securing a third-place league a 12-year managerial career, Gattuso has coached nine clubs, including Milan, Napoli—where he won the Coppa Italia in 2020—Valencia, and Marseille. He began his coaching journey in 2013 as player-coach at Swiss club appointment follows the withdrawal of Claudio Ranieri, who declined the Italy job to continue in his senior advisory role at AS Roma. FIGC member Gianluigi Buffon had reportedly backed Gattuso for the manager Maurizio Sarri offered public support for Gattuso, encouraging him to stay true to his footballing identity. Sarri also voiced concern over the gap between the strength of Italian clubs—ranked third in Europe—and the national team's recent struggles, including a round-of-16 exit at Euro 2024 despite winning Euro 2020.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Motorsport needs PPPs for a long drive in India: Executives
Motorsport in India show immense promise but require strong public-private partnerships (PPP) for sustainable growth, industry executives said, citing the Uttar Pradesh government's deal to host MotoGP as a positive step. Despite having hosted marquee events like Formula One (F1) and MotoGP in the past, regulatory and taxation challenges led to F1's exit from the country. Both F1 and MotoGP have over 50 million fans in India. Industry executives added motorsport holds the potential to boost tourism, generate employment and drive infrastructure development. However, they cautioned that without supportive policies and active government backing, this potential will remain untapped. "We see a fully structured and inclusive motorsport ecosystem getting built out in India, which definitely needs a two-way partnership-government putting in, private sectors coming in-with support through policy frameworks, funding, and a strong emphasis on the educational threshold that's needed," said Anshuman Singhania, MD, JK Tyre & Industries. He added that an equally critical factor is how the sport gains popularity and how people begin to view it as a viable career path. Narain Karthikeyan, India's first F1 racer, was a JK Tyre prodigy. Live Events "JK Tyre will continue to invest in people and technology to make India a global motorsport hub," he said, noting that up to 15% of the company's annual marketing budget is allocated to motorsport. "Over the past decade, JK Motorsport has invested approximately '200 crore in the development of motorsport-ranging from infrastructure creation and support for both emerging and established talent, to building intellectual properties, collaborating with existing events, and more," he noted. Vicky Chandhok, vice-president of Madras Motor Sports Club and former president of FMSCI, said red tape and tax-related issues had forced F1 to exit India due to lack of government support. However, he said that the UP government's backing to keep MotoGP in the state has raised hopes. "Today, we often say that India is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world-and rightly so. But if we truly believe that, we must embrace Formula 1 and MotoGP. These are among the most technologically advanced sports globally, and many corporates are keen to partner with such events-even if it's just for a single India round," Chandhok said. He noted that F1 and MotoGP, being globally popular sports with billions of viewers, can deliver significant economic value to the country and help build Brand India.
