Alonso hails ‘legend’ Kubica after emotional Le Mans win

Fernando Alonso has joined the chorus of tributes for Robert Kubica after the former Formula 1 driver clinched an emotional and long-awaited victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, calling the achievement a testament to perseverance, talent, and unshakable willpower.

Kubica, now 40, triumphed in the iconic endurance race last weekend behind the wheel of the No. 83 AF Corse Ferrari, shared with teammates Yifei Ye and Phil Hanson.

It was only his second appearance in the Hypercar category, and the victory marks the crowning achievement of his motorsport career since his 2008 F1 win in Canada with BMW Sauber.

For Alonso, a two-time Le Mans winner himself with Toyota Gazoo Racing, the result meant more than just another trophy added to the Pole’s résumé – it was a deeply personal and emotional moment for motorsport.

“A legend of our sport’

"I'm very happy for him," Alonso said in the wake of Kubica’s victory. “We talked a few times about how special that race is, and he deserves to experience that.”

The two had been on the verge of becoming teammates at Ferrari in 2012 before Kubica’s horrific rally crash in early 2011 shattered that possibility.

The accident left Kubica with severe injuries to his right wrist and hand, nearly ending his career. His return to elite racing levels has since become one of motorsport’s most inspiring comeback stories.

“He's a legend of our sport, and now he's even more after winning Le Mans in his career,” Alonso continued.

"You know some of the pain that he went through with the accident and things like that – 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 will be celebrating, but extremely happy. I'm proud of him."

Alonso understands just how meaningful a Le Mans victory is for a driver – and even more so for someone who overcame the physical and professional setbacks Kubica suffered.

Vasseur: “He’s an Extraterrestrial”

Kubica's resilience was also recognized by another key figure in his journey: Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, who previously managed Kubica at Alfa Romeo and in his junior career.

“Yes, you know that I have a close relationship with Robert,” Vasseur said. “He stayed with me a couple of years at Alfa Romeo and before in F3 and Formula Renault. And for me, he's an extraterrestrial.

“What he's doing is mega. To win in Le Mans in this situation, to be the leader of the car, to push the team, it's something that I can't imagine.”

Vasseur recalled a striking example of Kubica’s determination when he filled in for a Covid-stricken Kimi Räikkönen at the 2021 Dutch Grand Prix with little warning and no preparation.

“Honestly, each time that I'm discussing with Robert, you know when he jumped into the car for Alfa when Kimi got the Covid, it was in Zandvoort,” he said.

“He had to jump into the car on Saturday morning. In Zandvoort, the pitlane is very small and he was not able to turn the wheel and to take the clutch, and he didn't drive the car all year.

“And this race, he was fighting with Seb [Vettel] until the last corner. And this is just mega. I'm very, very pleased for Robert.

“He had a chaotic career in motorsports, and when you see the level of effort that he put into his career, I'm very, very pleased for him to have this kind of present today.”

• Read also: Ferrari wins Le Mans with Kubica-led trio

Kubica’s triumph at Le Mans not only validates his career in endurance racing but also cements his legacy as one of motorsport’s most resilient figures.

From the heartbreak of missed F1 opportunities to the pinnacle of endurance racing, Robert Kubica’s victory is being celebrated by some of the sport’s most respected voices—and rightly so.

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