The story of his success in Le Mans is a remarkable, and in several ways. We are talking about Robert Kubica, who practically whipped the private AF Corse Ferrari #83 (Kubica/Ye/Hanson) on Sunday, practically on the overall victory on the Sarthe.
It was Kubica who, on Sunday morning, in the duel against Antonio Giovinazzi on the radio against a previously pronounced, twice stable order in favor of the two official work ferraris and himself called for preference.
Later, from 12:30 p.m. at noon, he took place again in 499p with #83 and should only leave the cockpit after the round of honor.
Robert Kubica against everyone, against the whole world – that’s how it seemed in Le Mans this Sunday. Almost on its own, he made the first victory of a private team since 2005.
“However, the last two hours were very controlled for me. I knew what I got involved with. I knew that I could bring it home without mistakes, without DNF and without technical problems,” said Kubica afterwards at “Sportscar365”.
Robert Kubica: Rolex has played a role
“And I did it. I am happy about it. And I didn’t make a mistake, although I ended up for many hours after I hadn’t slept for 35 hours. It is easy to make mistakes. But for a 40-year-old it is still a performance to be in good shape. I am glad that I was able to contribute to this victory.”
The redeeming overall victory in mind made unexpected forces in Kubica again-and the view of a Rolex clock that traditionally exists for the winners of the long-distance classic. The pole has long been looking for it, as he admits.
“I always say that I went to Daytona to win one, but unfortunately it didn’t work out. When I lost the victory in the LMP2 class in 2021 in the last round, I was convinced that the LMP2 winner also got a Rolex. When I was then said that this only applies to the overall ranking, I felt better,” he laughs.
Stony path for the Poles in motorsport
The victory in Le Mans, he is also the crowning glory of Kubica’s career in motorsport. There is a hard, rocky path behind him. Just think of his horror accident at the Canada-GP 2007 or the terrible crash in a rally competition that almost ended his life and still has to deal with Kubica.
The pole fought back into Formula 1 for a year, and DTM also drove before he became at home on the long distance. And then he almost won in Le Mans three years ago, at that time in the LMP2. But his vehicle stopped in the last round and therefore no longer even got into the rating.
Since the previous year, Kubica has been piling up the private Ferrari hypercar of AF Corse, and in the previous year the yellow 499p with the start number 83 at Lone Star Le Mans in Austin was already on the top level of the winner’s podium. But of course that cannot be compared to an overall victory at the highlight of the season.
Ferrari retains a 100 percent victory rate in Le Mans
By the way, Kubica and his teammates Phil Hanson and Yifei Ye extend the winning streak of the jumping horse in Le Mans – and in this WEC season. “It was a great day – not only for me, but also for Ferrari. The team maintained the 100 percent victory rate for the 499p, which is really surprising,” cheered the pole.
And further: “I mean, Ferrari is probably glad that there was a yellow Ferrari, because so Porsche became second. I am glad that I was able to help up this 100 percent victory rate for this car in Le Mans. It was a great day, a great performance for my team, for my teammates and for myself. And yes, I was very tired.”
The hussar ride of #83 also has the executive floor at Ferrari cheered. Maranello has now won the long-distance classic with three different vehicle crews in three years. “This is a very important victory because he demonstrates that all Ferrari vehicles are the same. This is a quality of all of our LMH and GT3 cars,” says Antonello Coletta.
AF Corse is “the first partner of Ferrari who manages the official vehicles with us in part of the garage, and in the other part a private racing car. But in the end it is all a Ferrari (team),” said Coletta, who is responsible for all motorsport activities apart from Formula 1 in the jumping horse from Maranello.
Who finally beats the jumping horse?
And Ferrari boss John Elkann shows: “Today this is a big victory for Ferrari and everyone who works there. Ferrari has gained through cooperation and showed that unity leads to extraordinary results. In the past three years, three different cars and nine drivers have impressively demonstrated, which means teamwork.”
“I would like to thank everyone at Ferrari. To win in Le Mans three times in a row is a historical achievement that makes us proud and honors our founder Enzo Ferrari.”
As mentioned, Ferrari is still unbeaten in the 2024 World Cup, and #50 won the #50 in Qatar, #51 in Imola and Spa-Francorchamps. Does the winning streak in Interlagos continue?