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But it was because of the lack of opportunities in Poland in the formative years of his career that from the age of 13 Kubica grew up away from his family in Italy.
While undoubtedly tough at the time, it was pivotal to his motor-racing education - setting him on the path towards becoming an F1 driver.
Yet despite a fine fifth place in the championship standings last year at the end of his first full season, Kubica will long be remembered for one particular moment.
That took place during the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal when Kubica clipped the rear of Jarno Trulli's Toyota, sparking one of the most horrific accidents recently witnessed in the sport.
His car then hurtled through the air and struck a barrier on one side of the circuit, propelling it into a barrel-roll across the track, before slamming into a barrier on the opposite side.
Remarkably, thanks to the advances made in safety technology over the years since Ayrton Senna's death, Kubica sustained nothing more than concussion.
After surviving that, maybe it is O'Sullivan who should claim that Kubica is his hero - but it is the 'Rocket' who grabs the attention of the 23-year-old.
"After watching him in action, I feel he is a great champion," Kubica said of a man who won the world title in 2001 and 2004.
"I haven't met him. But I like his personality, what he does and how he does it.
"I have played a bit of snooker in the past, but I'm not good - so my admiration is high for those guys who play the sport, which is clearly different to F1, and that is why I like it.
"I know there are people who are of the opinion that snooker is not a sport, but I disagree. It is very tough.
"What the players do with their cues is incredible, as is the co-ordination and mental concentration needed.
"I expect most drivers would pick someone from motor-racing as their hero, but for me there are lots of great heroes out there from many different sports."
Appreciably, Kubica is now becoming a hero in his own right in Poland as Formula One is finally capturing the imagination of the public.
He is delighted to have turned heads, adding: "I understand why we had a problem.
"Before I started in Formula One, there was very little interest in the sport - and I am sure this would be the same in any country.
"Now it is a fact that the knowledge of Formula One in Poland is a lot higher - and if you compare the TV audiences of a couple of years ago with those of today, there is an incredible increase.
"Not only am I very happy to see the knowledge increase, but also the number of fans coming to the races, enjoying the sport and crossing their fingers for me."
The sacrifices Kubica made at such an early age in order to pursue his dream are exceptional, but if any driver knows what it takes to scale such heights then it is the man from Krakow.
For those looking to follow in his footsteps, his advice is simple, but then very considered given Kubica is mature for his age.
"Never give up and push for what you want, because certainly in all careers there will be difficult moments," remarked Kubica.
"I think it is also important to look at motor sport in general and realise that Formula One is not the only category where you can enjoy a professional career.
"You can always have Formula One as your dream. But sometimes aiming a bit lower is no bad thing, because if you only think about being in Formula One you can miss other very good opportunities."
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