Alonso and Russell lead applause for ‘mega’ Kubica after Le Mans win

Amidst the high-octane action of the Canadian Grand Prix, former F1 star Robert Kubica achieved a monumental victory, securing the 24 Hours of Le Mans title with his #83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P LMH team. Kubica, alongside teammates Phil Hanson and Yifei Ye, showcased incredible resilience, with the Pole completing a grueling final stint of 59 laps without a functioning drinks bottle. This triumph holds significant emotional weight for Kubica, whose F1 dreams were dramatically altered by a horrific rallying crash in 2011. Despite this setback, his talent has always been highly regarded, with Fernando Alonso once hailing him as "the best" rival. Alonso himself, a two-time Le Mans winner, was among the first to congratulate Kubica on social media, echoing the sentiments of many within the motorsport community. George Russell, Kubica's former Williams teammate, also extended his congratulations, highlighting the poetic timing of Kubica's Le Mans win coinciding with Russell's victory at the Canadian Grand Prix. Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur, who has a long-standing relationship with Kubica, praised his "extra-terrestrial" efforts and dedication, emphasizing the immense satisfaction of seeing Kubica achieve such a significant victory after a career marked by both incredible highs and challenging lows.