Fernando Alonso lauds Robert Kubica following Ferrari's Le Mans triumph
Robert Kubica’s Le Mans Triumph Marks Historic Day in Motorsport
MONTREAL — It was a historic day in motorsport as former Formula 1 driver Robert Kubica achieved an extraordinary milestone, helping Ferrari secure victory at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. The win earned admiration from across the racing world, including two-time Le Mans champion Fernando Alonso, who did not hold back his praise for the resilient Pole.
Fernando Alonso’s Praise for Kubica
Alonso, whose two triumphs at Le Mans in 2018 and 2019 came with Toyota, called it a “good day for motorsport” and highlighted the significance of Kubica’s journey from adversity to triumph.
"I'm very happy for him," Alonso said on Sunday. "We talked a few times about how special that race is, and he deserves to experience that. He's a legend of our sport, and now he's even more of a legend after winning Le Mans in his career.”
Kubica’s Journey from Adversity to Triumph
It is a story that resonates deeply within the motorsport community. Kubica’s promising Formula 1 career was cut short in 2011 following a life-altering rally crash, just as he was set to join Ferrari’s F1 team as Alonso's teammate. The accident not only sidelined him from the pinnacle of racing but also forced him to rebuild his career, making Sunday’s victory all the more poignant.
"You know some of the pain he went through with the accident and things like that,” Alonso continued. “I think today is a very happy day for motorsport. So happy for him. I will call him tomorrow. I didn't want to disturb today—he’ll be celebrating—but I’m extremely happy and proud of him."
The Significance of Le Mans and Canadian GP
The timing of Kubica’s Le Mans triumph was particularly striking, coinciding with the Canadian Grand Prix weekend—a venue linked to two of the most defining moments of his F1 career.
In 2007 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Kubica survived a massive crash that left him with a concussion and a sprained ankle. Just one year later, he secured a historic maiden Formula 1 victory at the same race, a moment that cemented his legacy despite his curtailed career.
The win at Le Mans also places Kubica in an elite group of drivers who have won both an F1 Grand Prix and the endurance classic. Alonso himself shared a social media post just prior to the Canadian GP, noting that he and Kubica are the only drivers to achieve this feat since the turn of the century. Sauber alumnus Nico Hülkenberg is the only other active F1 driver to have also claimed victory at Le Mans.
A Testament to Perseverance
Kubica’s heroic perseverance in overcoming challenges, from a devastating rally crash to years of rehabilitation and adaptation, underscores the scale of his achievement. For Alonso and the motorsport community, his victory is more than a win for Ferrari; it is a testimony to the indomitable spirit of a driver who refused to let adversity define his career.
A Day to Remember in Motorsport
It’s a day Kubica, and motorsport fans around the world, won’t soon forget. "Motorsport has its ups and downs, and today is definitely one of the highs," Alonso summed up.
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