Kevin Estre is back at Le Mans once again, but this time in a very different car, than what he is used to racing.
The rapid Frenchman has been racing for Porsche in either GTE or Hypercar since 2016, but since they are not competing at Le Mans this year with the Porsche 963 Hypercar model, he has jumped into a LMP2 car for TDS Racing, alongside Mathias Beche and Tobi Lutke. He did howeever race at Le Mans in 2015 in a LMP2 car, so he has tried it before.
Racing24-7.net met up with him, to hear a bit more about the changes and challenges for this upcoming week of running at Circuit de la Sarthe.
Have you been out testing the car?
“Yeah, I’ve been to Paul Ricard, just after the ELMS, and when I went back from Laguna Seca after the IMSA, so yeah, like probably 25 laps or something, which is not, it is not a lot, but I felt straight away quite, quite good in the car. It’s obviously quite different to the to the Hypercar. You have no hybrid system, you have different tires, and it’s a different car, but I felt good straight away. For sure, the level of drivers is super high, and some people, which are specialists which, you know, drive these cars almost every week, so it’s going to be hard to beat them, that’s for sure. I’m very humble, and I know what, what these drivers are capable to do, but the goal is definitely to try to win our category.”
It’s very different to Hypercar, but it’s also very different to LMP2 to the last time you were racing in it as well.
“For sure! I mean, I had the question earlier. To be honest, I don’t recall, like a lot of references from the LMP2 from 2015, because I’ve been driving many, many different cars, especially in Le Mans in between, but yeah, it’s like it’s a new challenge. It’s a different type of car, but I feel ready. At least the team is ready, my teammates are ready, and I just have to get up to speed quite quickly, but I love this track, so I hope it’s kind of compensated.”
Photo: JJ Media
What do you think the biggest challenge will be for you?
“It’s just, just to be quick with that car, really. I think traffic – traffic is going to be a bit different, but as I said, I’ve used to drive in GT, so I used to get past all the time, I used to pass people last year’s, and now I have to look forward and in the mirror, which is, which is a bit different, but I think I’m gonna be okay. It’s more the speed, the pace, you know, making sure that you, don’t do any mistakes, you’re quick, and holding the tire for 2-3-4, stins, whatever number of stints we do on the tyres, and just adapt to that, to that car.”
Have you had much time with Mathias and Tobi yet? Going to bond as a trio.
“Well, we spend the day in Paul Ricard. I arrived quite late and left quite early, so we didn’t have, we just had that, let’s say, that time on track. Then we had a few calls, and now arrived yesterday, but the time in Le Mans is quite long. The week is 10 days. You spend a lot of time together, we’re staying in the same house and traveling with the same car, so we get to know each other. I know Mathias since very long time, but we never drove together, and Tobi is a great guy, very motivated. So at the moment everything is going fine, and we’re just trying with Mathias to give as much infos possible to Tobias, because it’s his first time at Le Mans.”
Because that’s a very different dynamic for you compared to the past few years – you’ve not only got an amateur teammate, but also a rookie teammate as well. So, in terms of track time, and then you’re new to the car, it’s all a bit of juggle?
“For sure, the track time is very important for all of us, really. I think Mathias is the one probably, which needs the least, because he knows this car, he knows the team, you know, he’s done it many times in P2. For me, it’s going to be the first time, and Tobi has to get in the rhythm. Le Mans is very special, is very fast, and you need also to build it up, because the grip is coming throughout the weekend. So yeah, it’s different dynamic. We’ll have to to figure out after the test day – okay, what did we learn, where do we have to work, which driver needs more and more laps, and we’ll go from there.”
Photo: JJ Media
Do you feel more relaxed coming into this year, compared to the previous years, as a works driver?
“There’s, let’s say, a bit less pressure, but more relaxed. I wouldn’t say so, because at least, the 963 is a car I know inside out, and the team, and you know, I know the procedures, everything. While here, is a lot of new – new stuff. There is less pressure, let’s say, from from the brand, from the fact of driving for Penske, for Porsche. Now it’s a private team and stuff, but on the other hand, it’s, you know, it’s the biggest race for all of us, during the year, and it’s the first time for Tobi, and it’s the most important race for all of us. So there’s always a bit of pressure when you come to Le Mans, but the fact, to not drive for manufacturer, and not being overall victory, the one Porsche is chasing since a few years, and Roger is chasing since ever, is a bit different.”
Was it you calling the team, or was it someone from the team contacting you?
“No, the team called me to know if I was available and interested, and in the end I had a few choices, but I thought this was probably the best package for me.”
The next outing for TDS Racing #14 with Estre, Lutke, and Beche will be tomorrow Wednesday, for the 14.00 CET practice session.
