Robert Kubica ‘Hurt’ By PR Stunt Claims After F1 Return

• Kubica opens up after Le Mans win about 2019 Williams criticism
• Says doubts over his ability were “very extreme” and “hurt” him
• Calls racing his “medicine” and says passion still drives him today

Robert Kubica has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of being dismissed as a “PR muppet” during his Formula 1 comeback with Williams in 2019, revealing how such comments caused personal pain despite his determination to compete at the highest level.

Kubica returned to the spotlight earlier this month with a standout victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving a Ferrari 499P hypercar alongside Phil Hanson and Yifei Ye.

Speaking to the BBC, Kubica said: “I don’t think my limitations are limiting behind the wheel.

“I think if someone had doubts in the past I showed those doubts should not be in place.

“I’m driving and I’m happy. I remember when I was rejoining F1, there was a lot of rumours and I understand: You see [the condition of] my [right] hand.

“It’s normal to ask questions if I’m capable, if it’s safe.

“And there was some very extreme quotes of some people which hurt me, because I’m the first one who would never like to be back just for marketing or being a PR muppet.”

Kubica returned to Formula 1 with Williams in 2019 after missing out on a seat the year before. While his campaign was difficult — scoring just one point and being outqualified by teammate George Russell at every race — Kubica stressed that racing remained deeply important to him.

“I have serious limitations in my right arm, but I don’t remember how I was driving before.

“This is how I am now – it’s probably one of the biggest successes of my life: at one period of my recovery, driving was my best medicine.

“I can see someone watching my hand, which is normal, but, in the end, when driving, I’m fully in myself.

“Honestly, I have bigger limitations in daily life than [in] the race cars.”

Kubica, whose sole F1 victory came at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix with BMW Sauber, made two additional Grand Prix starts for Alfa Romeo in 2021, but officially stepped away from F1 in 2022. He admitted that thoughts of retirement surfaced soon after.

“I asked myself three years ago, I was thinking I should stop.

“But I’m the most lucky person around the world. I have a holiday all year because I’m doing something I like; for me, racing is everything.

“Everything I do in daily life is to prepare for the race track. I don’t know what [else] I would do – [stopping] is a big decision and a scary one.

“The passion is still there; the fire is still there.

“My main engine pushing me is my passion.”