24 Hours of Le Mans: Robert Kubica says victory with Ferrari proved 'extreme' injury doubters wrong - 'They aren't doing it any more'

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Robert Kubica claimed a magnificent victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Sunday, and he insists it has proved his injury doubters wrong. Kubica had a number of critics when he made an unsuccessful return to Formula One in recent years. But he won the iconic Le Mans race despite having to have his right arm partially amputated following a rally crash he endured 14 years ago.

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Robert Kubica feels his victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans proved his doubters wrong.

The 40-year-old triumphed in the iconic race on Sunday, 14 years on from a severe crash at the Ronde di Andora rally which resulted in him having to have his right arm partially amputated.

The #83 AF Corse Ferrari 499P, also driven by China's Yifei Ye and Britain's Phil Hanson, took the chequered flag 14.084 seconds ahead of the #6 Porsche 963 of France's Kevin Estre.

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Kubica won the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix in a BMW Sauber during his first stint in Formula One.

But his return to F1 in 2019 was not a great success, attracting a number of critics. Now he feels he has answered them in the best way possible.

"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," Kubica said, in quotes reported by BBC Sport.

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"I'm driving and I'm happy. I remember when I was rejoining F1, there were a lot of rumours and I understand: You see my hand. It's normal to ask questions... if I'm capable, if it's safe.

"And there was some very extreme quotes from 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."

He added: "People pointing the finger, saying maybe it wasn't safe, and having doubts. They are not doing it any more."

"I asked myself three years ago, I was thinking I should stop. But I'm the most lucky person in the world. I have a holiday all year because I'm doing something I like - for me, racing is everything.

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"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."

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