Latest news with #Kubica
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
Ferrari wins 2025 Le Mans 24 Hour with Robert Kubica
A fairytale drive by Robert Kubica secured Ferrari's third Le Mans win in as many years. Kubica, a Polish driver whose F1 career was cut short by a tragic accident, held off a fast-charging Porsche to take a famous victory. He lifted the winner's trophy with his left hand – because his right arm has little strength after it was partially severed in a 2011 crash. Kubica had a Ferrari F1 driver's contract in his pocket – metaphorically, at least – when he crashed out of a rally in Andorra. A roadside barrier sliced through his car, destroying the racer's right arm. British television host Jeremy Clarkson told viewers of The Grand Tour that Kubica 'broke every single bone on the right side of his body, had a 17 hour operation to put his arm back on again, and then 17 more operations after that, and his arm still doesn't work properly'. Kubica made it back to F1 but never got his chance with Ferrari. Until the brand signed him to drive its third car at Le Mans. This year, Kubica and co-drivers Philip Hanson and Ye Yifei beat the odds to win the world's most prestigious race in front of more than 300,000 spectators. After winning Le Mans, Kubica told reporters he was 'very lucky' to be able to drive after his near-fatal crash that left his right arm in a withered state. I know Le Mans is a three-driver race, but seeing Kubica take the ðŸ�� after this crash barrier went thru his arm in a rally crash and shattered his F1 title dreams, it’s an incredible story. A stunning driving talent and a really nice guy who truly loves the sport ðŸ'� — Jarvis (@JarvoB) June 15, 2025 'It took me quite a few years, not only to recover physically but also mentally,' he said. '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.' They’ll have to make a movie about Robert Kubica one day. A trailblazer for Poland who took his country to the top of F1, nearly lost his life in a rally crash but kept racing and is now a Le Mans winner. Fairytale stuff #LeMans24 — Ed Spencer (@EdSpencer99) June 15, 2025 Motorsport outlets such as The Race described Kubica's crash and subsequent Le Mans victory as 'one of the most remarkable stories in motorsport history'. Fans posted on X that he was 'the ultimate hero', that Hollywood needs to 'make a movie' about Kubica's life story, and that they watched the final minutes of Le Mans through teary eyes. Have to say, I had tears in my eyes watching the finish of Le Mans. Robert Kubica deserved this win! Congrats to him and the team! — That Was Fast (@thatwasfastyt) June 15, 2025 Kubica was chased to the line by the Porsche of Kevin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor and Australia's own Matt Campbell. Campbell passed two Ferraris late in the race to secure second place, handing over to co-driver Kevin Estre who closed the gap to Kubica, but could not get close enough to pass. Campbell told that 'we ran a perfect race today, with no mistakes, so we've got to be proud of what we achieved'. 'We gave it everything,' he said. Le Mans is exploding in popularity for manufacturers looking to take on endurance racing. Ford, McLaren and Genesis have announced plans to join the race in the next couple of years,a dding to a grid that already includes Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Cadillac, Aston Martin, Peugeot and Alpine. Australian fans cheered on young racer Cameron McLeod in support races in the lead-up to the race. McLeod won Ford's Mustang Challenge races from pole position, taking the chequered flag ahead of Ford competitors from around the globe.
Qatar Tribune
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Qatar Tribune
Former F1 driver Kubica leads Ferrari to Le Mans 24 Hours win
DPA Berlin Former Formula One driver Robert Kubica has achieved the biggest success of his motorsport career as he led Ferrari to their third consecutive win at the traditional Le Mans 24 Hours endurance race. With the #83 Ferrari crew, Kubica crossed the finish line on Sunday to celebrate the win with team-mates Phil Hanson and Yifei Ye. 'It has been a long one. Le Mans has always been close. First three years I raced LMP2 but the amount of laps I have done in the top three positions in five Le Mans is like 70%. But I have finally won it and in a Hypercar,' the Polish driver said. 'We deserve it. Happy for Ferrari. Three years in a row with three different crews, it is amazing.' There was just one safety car during the entire race. Ferrari crew #51 were third, as Porsche prevented a podium sweep for the Italian team with second place. Kubica was active in F1 between 2006 and 2010, but suffered a life-threatening rallying accident in 2011. He was trapped in the car for more than an hour before rescue workers were able to remove him. The accident left him with a partially severed right arm and multiple fractures. But he made one of the most remarkable comebacks in motorsport history once he got a full-time racing seat with Williams in 2019, before ending his F1 stint as a reserve driver for Alfa Romeo 2020-2022. Since 2021, he has been competing in the World Endurance Championship.
News.com.au
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- News.com.au
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. - 'Greatest achievement' - 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.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
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. - 'Greatest achievement' - 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
France 24
13 hours ago
- Automotive
- France 24
Kubica wins 'mental battle' to triumph at Le Mans
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. 'Greatest achievement' 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.
