Robert Kubica to compete for the first time in the ELMS at Mugello Circuit

Our interview with the famous driver: from success in karting to the ruthless world of F1

Robert Kubica is ready for a new challenge. And once again, he does it with commitment, passion and a smile on his face. Polish-born and Italian by adoption, his career was a rollercoaster ride. In the streets of Kracow, Robert fell in love with the world of car racing, which gives just as much as it takes away. Ever since the Christmas Day he was given a little red car with an internal-combustion engine, he has never given up, despite all the obstacles car racing has thrown at him. From karting to the golden yet ruthless world of F1, from the terrible rally accident in 2001 to the extraordinary win in Austin, Texas, in the WEC World Endurance Championship on September 1st behind a Ferrari wheel, Kubica has seen cars of all types. We met with him at the Mugello Circuit for the debut of the European Le Mans Series on a Tuscan track. A circuit that Robert puts on an equal level with Suzuka and Spa in terms of beauty and driving difficulty.

Robert Kubica (ph. Marius Hecker)

Robert, congratulations on your extraordinary win in Texas, the same day Charles Leclerc was winning the Italian F1 Grand Prix in Monza.

It was a wonderful race and I’m happy for Ferrari. I believe it has never happened before: winning two world championships on the same day.

Behind the wheel of a Ferrari 499P number 83 Modena Yellow-colored for AF Corse, Kubica did not fall short of expectations.

We needed this result. It had not been an easy season so far. We were aware of our potential, but the results someway did not reflect our level.

A win that only partly makes up for the disappointment of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

We know that it’s a huge technical and human challenge. An engine failure is something that can happen, but you always hope for the best.

How hard is it to get back on your feet every time?

That’s the way it is with car racing. Ferrari had never won an endurance race with the 499P on any circuit other than Le Mans for the 24 Hours race. We were very happy and it’s wonderful that we won with our # 83 team of AF Corse. A young team. It’s a reward also for all the people working on the project.

Polish-born, but Italian by adoption.

I feel deeply Polish but, professionally speaking, I grew up in Italy. I arrived here in 1998, when I was 13 years old, to do karting. My parents remained in Poland, so it was a huge step for me, even in terms of responsibility. The Italian championship was the most competitive one and I feel lucky to have come here. Living in Italy is nice: people are genuine and open. I adjusted well. I raced for several Italian teams, I frequented Formula Medicine in Viareggio and it’s strange that I raced at the Mugello circuit only once, in 2002, in the Italian Formula Renault Championship.

Successful kart racing, the first Polish driver in F1, the agreement to race with the Ferrari team alongside Fernando Alonso that was called off due to the accident, the comeback to F1 as test driver, the ELMS win in 2021 and the WEC in 2023 in the LMP2 class. How many lives does Robert Kubica have?

Go-karting was the best time of my life. In F1, the highlight was the win in Canada 2008 with the BMW Sauber. The F1 Ferrari is an open wound. Alonso and I would have done great things together. Rallying was very personally rewarding, because a driver coming from track racing has to develop very different skills. The 2011 accident was the darkest period, but going back to racing “saved” me, because it kept my mind busy.

Ferrari World Cup Finals 2023 Mugello Circuit

What do you like about the ELMS Championship?

I like the format that embodies the essence of motorsport: a four-hour race, a very competitive grid with over 40 cars, top-level drivers and teams at Europe’s most beautiful circuits.

Do you have a favorite corner on the Mugello track?

The track is so beautiful, you can hardly find a corner that is not, it has a lovely flow. The Arrabbiate, however, are the two legendary turns. In terms of track category, I put Mugello on an equal level with Suzuka and Spa as far as beauty and driving difficulty are concerned. I recommend to everyone to spend a weekend in the green Mugello hills near Florence and savour the adrenalin-charged taste of speed and racing.