Kubica Commits to Ferrari WEC Programme

AF Corse has confirmed that Robert Kubica will remain part of its Hypercar effort for the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship, securing continuity in one of the most stable and successful line-ups on the grid. The announcement means the former Formula 1 race winner will once again share the privately run #85 Ferrari 499P with Ye Yifei and Phil Hanson, as Ferrari heads into the new season with an entirely unchanged Hypercar roster.

With this decision, all three Ferrari entries in the WEC’s top class will retain the same driver combinations as in 2025. The factory-operated cars remain untouched: reigning world champions James Calado, Antonio Giovinazzi and Alessandro Pier Guidi will again pilot the #51 Ferrari, while Antonio Fuoco, Miguel Molina and Nicklas Nielsen continue in the sister #50 entry. Ferrari has not altered its factory line-ups since its Hypercar debut in 2024, underlining a philosophy built around long-term consistency.

Kubica’s retention had not been a foregone conclusion. Having turned 41 in December, questions had inevitably arisen over whether the Pole would extend his stay in the sport’s highest endurance category. Tuesday’s confirmation removes any doubt, ensuring that Kubica will compete in Hypercar for a third consecutive season.

His journey to the top class has already proved richly rewarding. After claiming the LMP2 title with WRT in 2023, Kubica stepped up to Hypercar in 2024 with AF Corse’s customer Ferrari. Initially partnered by Ye and Robert Shwartzman, Kubica adapted quickly to the 499P. Shwartzman’s move to IndyCar ahead of the 2025 season opened the door for Hanson, and the reconfigured trio went on to achieve one of the defining results of the modern WEC era.

In June last year, Kubica, Ye and Hanson claimed outright victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, defeating the works #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 of Laurens Vanthoor, Kevin Estre and Matt Campbell. The win marked Kubica’s first overall triumph at Le Mans and cemented the credibility of Ferrari’s customer Hypercar programme.

Notably, Kubica will remain the sole non-factory driver in the #85 crew. Ye, previously affiliated with Renault and Porsche, gained Ferrari works status prior to his first season with AF Corse in 2024, while Hanson was formally added to Ferrari’s works roster earlier this month. Kubica’s continued presence reflects both his experience and his value to the programme, even without factory designation.

Ferrari enters the 2026 season as the benchmark manufacturer in WEC, having secured the drivers’ and manufacturers’ championships last year alongside its Le Mans victory. While the marque has chosen not to deploy any of its remaining evo jokers on the 499P, it has introduced a series of detail changes aimed at further improving performance and reliability.

The new WEC campaign begins in Qatar on 28 March and, as in 2025, will comprise eight rounds across three continents.

Ferrari Hypercar Line-ups for WEC 2026

With its driver squads unchanged and its technical package already proven, Ferrari begins 2026 as the team to beat — and Kubica’s continued presence ensures that experience remains at the heart of its championship ambitions.