Robert Kubica facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Kubica
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Kubica in 2023
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| Born |
Robert Józef Kubica
7 December 1984 |
| FIA World Endurance Championship career | |
| Debut season | 2019 |
| Current team | AF Corse |
| Racing licence |  FIA Platinum |
| Car no. | 83 |
| Former teams | HCR, Prema, WRT |
| Starts | 28 (28 entries) |
| Championships | 1 (2023) |
| Wins | 5 |
| Podiums | 10 |
| Poles | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| Best finish | 1st in 2023 (LMP2) |
| European Le Mans Series career | |
| Debut season | 2021 |
| Current team | AO |
| Car no. | 14 |
| Former teams | WRT |
| Starts | 12 |
| Championships | 2 (2021, 2024) |
| Wins | 4 |
| Podiums | 8 |
| Poles | 1 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| Best finish | 1st in 2021, 2024 (LMP2) |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |  Polish |
| Active years | 2006–2010, 2019, 2021 |
| Teams | BMW Sauber, Renault, Williams, Alfa Romeo |
| Car number | 88 |
| Entries | 99 (99 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 1 |
| Podiums | 12 |
| Career points | 274 |
| Pole positions | 1 |
| Fastest laps | 1 |
| First entry | 2006 Hungarian Grand Prix |
| First win | 2008 Canadian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 2021 Italian Grand Prix |
| World Rally Championship record | |
| Active years | 2013–2016 |
| Co-driver | Maciej Baran Michele Ferrara Maciej Szczepaniak |
| Teams | M-Sport, Citroën |
| Rallies | 33 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Rally wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Stage wins | 14 |
| Total points | 43 |
| First rally | 2013 Rally de Portugal |
| Last rally | 2016 Monte Carlo Rally |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
| Years | 2021–2025 |
| Teams | WRT, Prema, AF Corse |
| Best finish | 1st (2025) |
| Class wins | 1 (2025) |
Robert Józef Kubica (born December 7, 1984) is a Polish racing driver. He competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship for AF Corse. Robert is famous for being the only Polish driver to race in Formula One. He won the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix with BMW Sauber.
Robert also competed in the World Rally Championship from 2013 to 2016. In endurance racing, he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2025 with AF Corse. He also won the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship in the LMP2 class with WRT.
From 2006 to 2009, Kubica drove for BMW Sauber. He started as a test driver and became a race driver in 2006. In June 2008, he achieved his first and only Formula One victory in Canada. This was also the only win for the Sauber team. He even led the championship for a while that season. He finished fourth overall, which was his best career position.
Kubica drove for Renault in 2010. He was planning to stay with the team in 2011. He later shared that he had signed a pre-contract with Ferrari for the 2012 season. However, this plan was canceled due to a serious rally crash in early 2011.
On February 6, 2011, Robert was severely injured in a rally crash. He suffered very serious injuries to his right arm and leg. He was taking part in the rally to improve his driving skills. After his recovery, he initially thought returning to Formula One would be "nearly impossible." But he later tested with Renault and Williams, realizing a return might be possible.
Robert returned to racing in September 2012. He won a small rally in Italy. In 2013, he drove for Citroën in rally championships. He won the first WRC-2 title. He then moved to the main WRC championship full-time in 2014.
In 2018, Kubica became the reserve driver for Williams. On November 22, 2018, Williams announced he would be a full-time race driver for the 2019 Formula One season. He left Williams at the end of 2019. He then joined the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters series. He also continued as a reserve and test driver for Alfa Romeo. He filled in for Kimi Räikkönen at the 2021 Dutch and Italian Grands Prix.
Contents
Early Racing Days
Starting with Karting
Robert Kubica loved cars from a very young age. When he was four, his father bought him a small off-road vehicle. He spent hours driving it around. As he grew, he needed better equipment. So, his father bought him a go-kart.
Robert was too young to race in the Polish Karting Championship at first. He had to be at least ten years old. Once he could join, he won six titles in just three years! After his third season, he moved to Italy for more competitive races. In 1998, Robert became the first non-Italian to win the International Italian Junior Karting Championship.
He also finished second in the European Junior Karting Championship. He won the Junior Monaco Kart Cup twice in a row. This race is held on part of the famous Formula One Grand Prix track. In 2000, his last year in karting, he finished fourth in both the European and World Championships.
Moving to Junior Races
Formula Renault 2.0 (2000–2002)
Robert started his professional racing career in 2000. He became a test driver for a Formula Renault 2000 car. In his first season, he earned his first pole position. He also joined Renault's program for young drivers. In 2002, Robert won four races and finished second in the Italian Formula Renault 2000. He was also seventh in the Formula Renault Eurocup. He even won a special race in Brazil.
Formula Three (2003–2004)
After Formula Renault, Kubica moved to the Formula 3 Euro Series. His start was delayed because of a road accident. He broke his arm and needed surgery. But at his first race, he won even with a special brace on his arm. He finished 12th that season. Later, he won a street race in Sardinia. He also finished second in the Macau F3 Grand Prix in 2004.
Formula Renault 3.5 (2005)
In 2005, Robert won the World Series by Renault championship. This win earned him a chance to test a Formula One car with Renault.
Formula One Journey
Starting as a Test Driver
Robert was supposed to drive for Minardi in 2005. But he did not get the special license needed. He did get a one-time test with Renault in December 2005.
BMW Sauber (2006–2009)
First Polish F1 Driver (2006–2007)
In 2006, Kubica became the official reserve driver for BMW Sauber. His good test results led to talk that he would be Poland's first Formula One driver. In August 2006, his teammate Jacques Villeneuve was unable to race. Robert was chosen to replace him at the Hungarian Grand Prix. He qualified ninth, beating his more experienced teammate Nick Heidfeld. In the race, he finished seventh but was later disqualified. Villeneuve left the team, and Robert became a full-time driver.
In his third race, the 2006 Italian Grand Prix, Robert finished third. He became the first Polish driver to stand on a Formula One podium. He was also the first Polish driver to lead a Grand Prix. He was one of the few drivers to get on the podium in their first three F1 races.
Robert did well in 2007, often finishing in the points. At the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, he had a very serious crash. His car hit a wall and rolled. The car was badly damaged. Robert was taken to the medical center. It was later confirmed he had a light concussion and a sprained ankle. As a safety measure, he missed the next race. He returned for the French Grand Prix and finished fourth.
First F1 Win (2008)
Robert stayed with BMW Sauber for 2008. He started the season strongly. He got his and BMW Sauber's first pole position in Bahrain. He also finished second in Malaysia and Monaco.
On June 8, 2008, at the Canadian Grand Prix, Robert won his first Formula One race. He started second. He took the lead after a faster pit stop. Later, Lewis Hamilton crashed into Kimi Räikkönen in the pit lane. This helped Robert stay in the lead. He finished first, with his teammate Heidfeld in second. This win put Robert in the lead of the Drivers' Championship.
The second half of the season was tougher for BMW Sauber. But Robert still had strong results. He finished second in Japan after leading for many laps. He also got podiums in Valencia and Monza. Robert finished the year fourth in the Drivers' Championship.
Leaving BMW Sauber (2009)
In 2009, at the first race in Australia, Robert qualified fourth. During the race, he crashed with Sebastian Vettel. Robert had to retire from the race. BMW said he would have won if not for the crash.
The next few races were difficult for BMW Sauber. Robert often finished outside the points. But the team improved the car later in the season. Robert scored his first points of the season in Turkey, finishing seventh. He also finished fourth in Belgium. In Brazil, he got his first podium of the season, finishing second.
On July 29, 2009, BMW announced they would leave Formula One. This meant Robert was free to join another team for 2010. He signed with Renault F1, the team he had tested for earlier in his career.
Renault (2010–2011)
First Season with Renault (2010)
Robert joined the Renault team for 2010. There were some changes at Renault, but Robert decided to stay. His teammate was Vitaly Petrov.
At the second race in Australia, Robert finished second after starting ninth. He also finished fourth in Malaysia and fifth in China. He got another podium in Monaco, finishing third. In Canada, he finished seventh and set the fastest lap of the race. He got his third podium of the season in Belgium, finishing third.
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Many experts praised Robert's driving in 2010. They said he was one of the best drivers that season. He often performed very well on challenging tracks. Robert finished the 2010 season in eighth place in the Drivers' Championship.
Rally Accident Ends Season (2011)
Robert stayed with Renault for the 2011 season. He tested the new car and set the fastest time on one day. Just three days later, on February 6, 2011, he was severely injured in a rally crash in Italy.
Because of his injuries, Robert could not start the Formula One season. His former teammate Nick Heidfeld replaced him. Robert was released from the hospital in April 2011 to begin his recovery. In November 2011, it was clear he would not be ready for the start of the 2012 season. Robert later shared that he had signed a contract to race for Ferrari in 2012, but the accident prevented this.
Recovery and Return to Racing
Rallying Comeback
Robert's recovery faced another challenge when he re-broke his right leg in January 2012. He stayed out of competitive racing for most of 2012. But he returned in September, winning a rally in Italy.
World Rally Championship (2013–2016)
In 2013, Robert continued his return by focusing on rallying. He drove for Citroën in the European and WRC2 Championships. He won the Acropolis Rally and the Rally d'Italia. He also won the Rallye Deutschland, becoming the leader of the WRC2 Championship. He won two more rallies and secured the WRC2 championship title.
In 2014, Robert won the Internationale Jänner Rallye. He then competed in the main WRC class. He showed great speed but often had bad luck. His best result was sixth place in Argentina. He finished the season in 16th place. In 2015, he continued in WRC. In 2016, he only competed in one WRC rally due to lack of funding.
Sportscar Racing
GT3 and LMP1 (2016–2017)
In 2016, Robert raced in GT3 events. In 2017, he joined the ByKolles LMP1 team for the FIA World Endurance Championship. He had tested their car and was very fast. However, after pre-season testing, he decided not to participate in the season.
Formula E
In May 2017, Robert tested a Formula E car. He was interested in racing in the New York ePrix, but it did not happen.
Return to Formula One
Testing for a Comeback (2017)
On June 5, 2017, Robert tested a Renault 2012 car. This was his first Formula One event since his accident in 2011. Renault was impressed with his speed and consistency. They said he could be an option for 2018.
On July 24, 2017, Robert took part in a test after the Hungarian Grand Prix. He completed 142 laps and showed he was still very capable. In October 2017, he tested with Williams. He completed many laps, and Williams said there were "no issues" with his injuries.
Williams (2018–2019)
Reserve Driver (2018)
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On January 16, 2018, Robert became the reserve driver for Williams. He took part in practice sessions during Grand Prix weekends. He even outperformed his teammate Lance Stroll in one session.
Full-Time Racing Return (2019)
Before the end of the 2018 season, Williams announced that Robert would race full-time in 2019. He partnered with George Russell. Robert chose 88 as his car number.
The Williams team struggled in 2019. Their car was the slowest on the grid. Robert finished 12th at the German Grand Prix. He was then promoted to 10th place after other drivers received penalties. This earned him his first point since his return to F1. It also set a record for the longest time between points finishes.
On September 19, 2019, Robert announced he would leave Williams at the end of the season. He finished the difficult season in 19th place with 1 point. He was replaced by Nicholas Latifi.
Alfa Romeo (2020–2022)
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Robert joined Alfa Romeo Racing as a reserve driver for the 2020 season. This was the same team he started his F1 career with (then BMW Sauber). He took part in pre-season testing and set the fastest lap on one day. He also participated in several practice sessions during the season.
In 2021, Robert replaced Kimi Räikkönen at the Dutch and Italian Grands Prix. Räikkönen tested positive for COVID-19. Robert qualified 18th in the Netherlands and finished 15th. In Italy, he finished 14th. He also drove in three free practice sessions that year.
For 2022, Robert remained a reserve and test driver for Alfa Romeo. He took part in free practice sessions at several races. Alfa Romeo's main sponsor moved to another team for 2023, so Robert left Alfa Romeo.
Later Career in Endurance Racing
Endurance Racing (2021–Present)
In 2021, Robert found success in endurance racing. He joined Orlen Team WRT in the European Le Mans Series. His team won three races and the LMP2 title.
He also joined High Class Racing for the final two rounds of the 2021 FIA World Endurance Championship. His team achieved two podium finishes in the ProAm class.
Prema (2022)
In January 2022, Robert joined the Prema Orlen Team to race in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). He competed in six races across three continents, including the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans.
WRT (2023)
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Robert returned to WRT in 2023. He won the LMP2 class championship in the WEC.
AF Corse (2024–Present)
For the 2024 season, Robert moved up to the Hypercar class. He drove the #83 Ferrari 499P for AF Corse in the WEC. On September 1, 2024, he won the Lone Star Le Mans race. This made him only the third driver in history to win both a Formula 1 race and a WEC race.
In 2025, Robert Kubica achieved a major victory. He won the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans with his teammates Phil Hanson and Ye Yifei. This made him the first Polish driver to win the event overall.
See also
In Spanish: Robert Kubica para niños
