Robert Kubica powers Ferrari to third consecutive Le Mans victory
Robert Kubica Leads Ferrari to Victory at 24 Hours of Le Mans
LE MANS, France – In a moment of redemption and triumph, Robert Kubica capped off a remarkable personal and professional journey by securing victory for Ferrari in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Sunday. The win marks Ferrari's third consecutive triumph at the storied endurance race, further solidifying the Italian manufacturer’s legendary status at the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Kubica, driving the No. 83 Ferrari 499P for the AF Corse team alongside teammates Ye Yifei and Philip Hanson, took the checkered flag in a nail-biting finish. Ferrari celebrated its 12th overall win in the 93 editions of the iconic race, which began over a century ago. However, their hopes of sweeping the podium were foiled by a late charge from the No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsport car, forcing the factory Ferraris to settle for third and fourth while Kubica’s privately entered Ferrari seized victory.
“It has been a long 24 hours,” Kubica said over the team radio after crossing the line, his voice filled with gratitude. "Enjoy."
A Career-Defining Achievement for Kubica
For Kubica, the win symbolizes a career-defining achievement. The 40-year-old Polish driver’s promising Formula 1 career was derailed by a life-threatening crash during a rally in 2011, which left him with severe injuries, including a partially severed arm. After years of recovery, Kubica made an inspiring return to the racing world, competing in the World Rally Championship before making a comeback to Formula 1 with Williams in 2019.
Sunday’s victory also allowed Kubica and Ye to erase the memory of heartbreak at Le Mans last year when their car failed to finish, despite contending strongly for the win.
Ye Yifei, Kubica’s 22-year-old co-driver from China, summed up their emotions: “It’s a great story that we finally put a perfect ending with Robert. It looks easier from the outside than it is in the car. It’s just unbelievable.”
The triumph also carries historical significance, as Kubica becomes the first Polish driver to win Le Mans outright, while Ye achieves the same milestone for China.
Overcoming Adversity to Take the Lead
Overcoming early adversity was key to Ferrari’s victory. The marque struggled in qualifying, with the winning car starting 13th on the grid. But from the moment tennis legend Roger Federer waved the green flag to begin the race on Saturday, Ferrari demonstrated superior race pace and strategy.
Throughout much of the 24-hour marathon, victory for Ferrari seemed almost assured. By early Sunday morning, they were poised for a historic podium sweep — which would have been the first such feat in the top class since 2012.
Final Hours Filled with Drama
Yet, the final hours offered plenty of drama. Alessandro Pier Guidi in the No. 51 factory Ferrari lost the lead with an ill-timed spin coming into the pits, giving the surging Penske-operated No. 6 Porsche an opening. Kévin Estre, Laurens Vanthoor, and Matt Campbell drove brilliantly in that Porsche to capitalize, finishing just 14 seconds behind the winners in second place after a thrilling late push.
Kubica, handling the decisive stint for Ferrari, maintained composure under immense pressure, ensuring victory for the AF Corse team.
A Steady Yet Grueling Race
Despite Le Mans’ grueling reputation, this year’s race was unexpectedly steady, featuring only one safety car period and minimal incidents during the traditionally chaotic nighttime phase. But the event still tested both the physical and mental endurance of drivers and the mechanical reliability of the cars.
Elsewhere, the Polish team Inter Europol Competition clinched the LMP2 class victory, while Manthey Racing triumphed in the GT3 class with a Porsche 911.
A Victory to Reinforce Ferrari’s Supremacy
For Ferrari, Sunday’s victory further establishes their supremacy at Le Mans and reinforces a renaissance for the brand in endurance racing. For Robert Kubica, it was nothing short of a personal and professional triumph — a journey marked by resilience, determination, and an indomitable will to succeed.
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