The seven-time world champion is arguably the greatest ever driver to step foot in F1, and after an 18-year career, he has faced the very best the sport has to offer. However, Ferrari’s newest driver surprised many after giving an unexpected answer when asked to pick the most talented driver he faced on the track.
The 40-year-old has competed against the likes of Michael Schumacher, Sebastian Vettel, and Max Verstappen, to name just a few, but he snubbed all three world champions with his answer.
Instead, Hamilton went with former Polish driver Robert Kubica as one of the most talented drivers he has ever faced, despite rarely competing for race wins against him.
In a 2019 interview, Hamilton said: “I’ve known Robert the longest. We started racing each other in go-karts in 1998 – for me, Robert is one of the most talented drivers that I’ve competed against. From the beginning, I already saw the talent that he had.”
Kubica made his F1 debut in 2006 for BMW Sauber and went on to compete in 99 races, claiming 12 podiums and one win. His only race win came at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix, where a collision between Hamilton and Kimi Raikkonen in the pit lane allowed the Pole to go on and claim his sole victory.
Kubica’s talent was evident at the time for all to see, with many tipping him to go on to achieve great things in the sport. However, the Pole’s career was forever changed after he was involved in an accident at the 2011 Ronde di Ally rally.
Robert Kubica’s Accident in 2011
The Pole nearly lost his life, and ended up having a partial amputation of his right forearm
The accident resulted in Kubica needing 17 surgeries to treat his life-threatening injuries. HE was ultimately left with a partial amputation of his right forearm. The promising career ahead of Kubica was suddenly derailed, and he had to leave the sport for several years. But in 2019, he defied the odds and made a spectacular return to F1, earning a seat at Williams to partner George Russell.
Hamilton added: “I think what’s really remarkable is the strength and the determination he’s shown to get through the incident he had. Not a lot of people can come from those kinds of circumstances and make it back into the sport and deliver against others who don’t have the same situation as him.”
Kubica spent one season racing for Williams before being replaced by Nicholas Latifi. The Pole then became a reserve driver at Alpha Romeo for two years, with his final F1 race taking place at Monza as he stood in for Raikkonen.
While Hamilton continues to get settled into life at Ferrari, Kubica now races in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
If it wasn’t for the devastating injuries that Kubica sustained in 2011, the careers of both men might have looked a lot different, but regardless, Hamilton still recognises the brilliance of the Pole.
