Robert Kubica won last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans in the AF Corse #83 Ferrari 499P. His memory of the race might have focused on strategy and lap times. Instead, he evokes how Le Mans makes a driver feel: the energy that you can only understand once you’ve experienced it, among the fans, in the paddock and the city centre. If you dream of attending the world’s greatest endurance race, Kubica’s recommendation is “come along”!
Why do you have to experience Le Mans to grasp the magic?
Because you can only truly feel an atmosphere when you experience it first-hand. Kubica is adamant: “I think you have to experience Le Mans to understand how special it is.” He discovered, “something unique. It gave me so many different emotions, so many different feelings.”
The driver’s first taste of Le Mans came relatively late in his career, when he was 36, with Belgian outfit Team WRT. The experience was all the more poignant for the Polish driver.
He feels that adding his name to the list of 24 Hours of Le Mans winners is a huge privilege. However, the event is spellbinding even if you don’t cross the line in first place.
“You know, it’s not only about the race, there are a lot of different activities happening during the week.”
— Robert Kubica
In the grandstands on in the streets, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is an all-encompassing event. The race is the focal point, but there’s so much else besides, which creates an experience like no other.
Sure, you watch the 24 Hours of Le Mans. You feel it too. The sound of the engines, the hushed expectancy before the start, fleeting glances and heartfelt emotions weave a patchwork of memories that amount to much more than a race. That’s precisely what Robert Kubica discovered, and that he would like to experience as a spectator one day.
See also: Tickets go on sale on Friday 6 November for next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans!
Robert Kubica’s tip: a 360° experience of the 24 Hours of Le Mans
The Polish driver can already see himself coming back to Le Mans as a spectator when he retires from racing. He looks forward to living Le Mans “from a different perspective”, which just proves that even when you’ve won this race, you haven’t lived it entirely!
To future spectators, Kubica recommends “full immersion”. By that, he means staying in one of the infield camping areas, so as not to miss a beat. Indeed, spectators don’t come to Le Mans just to follow the leader board. They come for an all-round experience.
At Le Mans, you have to go with the flow. Let yourself get carried away.
A triumph for Poland
When Robert Kubica won last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans in the AF Corse #83 Ferrari 499P, he was the first Polish driver to do so, a source of pride:
"There are many times I achieved something first time in motorsport for Poland. Hopefully not the first one. I can say I’m the first Polish winner of Le Mans. Hopefully not the last one in history. But it really doesn’t matter. I mean, I’m super proud I achieved it. I’m happy Poland is growing up as a motorsport culture. We have every year more drivers, especially young drivers growing up."
He also mentions Poland’s presence in endurance racing, in particular Inter Europol Competition, winners of the LMP2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2023, 2025 and 2026.
Seeing the Polish flag at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the history books has special meaning for the driver. Kubica is conscious of his accomplishment and would love to see others follow in his footsteps.
Watch episode 4 of Drivers Of Destiny featuring Robert Kubica and let him convince you to experience the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
FAQ – The low-down on Robert Kubica at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Who is Robert Kubica?
Robert Kubica is a Polish racing driver, with 99 Grands Prix, 12 F1 Podiums and one win to his name. He won the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans in the AF Corse #83 Ferrari 499P he shared with Yifei Ye and Phil Hanson.
How many times has Robert Kubica taken part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans?
Robert Kubica (41) has six 24 Hours of Le Mans starts to date. The first was in 2020, at the wheel of the #41 Oreca 07-Gibson – Team WRT. He has been competing in Hypercar, the top class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the World Endurance Championship, since 2024. He drivers the AF Corse #83 Ferrari 499P.
Why did Robert Kubica retire from the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2021?
At the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans, Robert Kubica and teammates Louis Delétraz and Yifei Ye were on the way to win the LMP2 class with the Team WRT #41 Oreca 07-Gibson. However the car came to a brutal halt in the last lap, Yifei Ye at the wheel.
Post-race investigations revealed that a short circuit had caused the engine control unit to malfunction. The engine and fuel system were fine. The car started perfectly on Monday morning, but it was too late. The car had not crossed the finish line, and was therefore not classified.
Why was Robert Kubica’s victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans historic for Poland?
When Robert Kubica won last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans in the AF Corse #83 Ferrari 499P, he was the first Polish driver to do so. He hopes his success will encourage future generations of Polish drivers.
- 24 Heures du Mans
- Robert Kubica
- AF CORSE
