Robert Kubica knows exactly how different a Formula 1 car is from an endurance prototype and, despite winning the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Ferrari 499P, the Polish driver does not appear entirely convinced by the technical characteristics of the current generation of Hypercars.
Speaking to Mundo Deportivo, Robert Kubica expressed reservations about the regulations governing the FIA World Endurance Championship’s top category, where LMH and LMDh machinery compete together under the Balance of Performance system.
Robert Kubica explains his Hypercar concerns
From a driver’s perspective, Robert Kubica believes the balance between power, weight and aerodynamic performance could be different. He explained: “As a driver, you would probably prefer to have even less power, but more grip and less weight. Sometimes you feel that the car is quite heavy and lacks a little aerodynamic performance.”
Robert Kubica then compared today’s Hypercars with the endurance prototypes of the recent past, adding: “It is not a prototype like those from seven or eight years ago, before these regulations were introduced. It is something halfway between a fast GT car and a prototype.”
It is a particularly interesting assessment from a driver who experienced Formula 1 during the 2000s, when the cars were considerably lighter than the current generation. His extensive experience across different categories gives him a clear point of comparison between single-seaters, traditional prototypes and the modern Hypercar concept.
Kubica praises WEC growth despite technical reservations
Despite those concerns, Robert Kubica also acknowledged what the organisers of the World Endurance Championship have achieved with the current regulations. The combination of LMH and LMDh manufacturers has created a much larger top-class field than the championship had only a few years ago.
“Five years ago there were only two manufacturers, today the grid is full,” Robert Kubica said. “The FIA, ACO and WEC have done a good job. The races are good and, for the fans, there is something different compared with Formula 1, with greater access to the paddock and the possibility of being closer to the teams.”
Ferrari facing a more difficult 2026 WEC campaign
On the sporting side, Robert Kubica also acknowledged the difficulties Ferrari has encountered during the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship season.
“In general, we are lacking performance compared with the competition,” Robert Kubica admitted. “And when we had the opportunity to finish on the podium, we were not able to execute the race perfectly.”
His comments underline the contrasting picture surrounding Ferrari’s current Hypercar programme: the Ferrari 499P has already delivered Robert Kubica one of the biggest victories of his career at Le Mans, while the Polish driver remains clear that both the technical characteristics of the category and Ferrari’s competitive execution leave room for improvement.
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