Kevin Estre returns to LMP2 at Le Mans: "I didn't want to miss this edition"

Deprived of participation in the Hypercar category by the end of the Porsche Penske Motorsport program in WEC, Kévin Estre found refuge in LMP2 with TDS Racing to compete in this 94th edition.

This participation in LMP2 is a bit of a return to your roots for you, isn't it?

Yes, my first participation was in 2015 in LMP2. Since then, I've driven for factory teams. Porsche in GT and then Hypercar. I'm happy to be at Le Mans—I didn't want to miss this edition, but I also didn't want to do it at any cost. It's important for me to have a package that can win in the category. With TDS, I think we have a good chance. They always have a great car, Mathias (Beche) has a lot of experience in LMP2, and Toby (Lütke), it's his first time, but he's very talented and he's receptive.

Is this also a return to a more raw, pure form of competition, to pure driving?

It's also pure Hypercar driving, but here the car is much less complicated: no hybrid system, less technology, fewer things to manage outside the car and even inside it. We'll have to focus on the basics and make do with what we have. In Hypercar, you have a lot of adjustment options to fine-tune the balance. In LMP2, it's the same; you have to adapt. But I'm happy to be part of this adventure.

Will traffic management also be different?

I've been in both situations. I've done many Le Mans races in GT cars where you had to constantly look in your rearview mirror. The last three or four years in Hypercars, you had to overtake. Now, I'll have to do a bit of both. I'm used to traffic, but it's been a while since I've looked in my rearview mirror like this.

Several Porsche drivers are competing in LMP2 this year, including Julien (Andlauer), Laurin (Heinrich), and Nico (Müller). Are you happy that the manufacturer gives you this freedom?

They were very understanding. For me, the goal was definitely to be in a Porsche. But when we saw that wasn't possible in Hypercar, I asked them if an LMP2 was an option. They immediately said yes. And since they're also letting Laurin, Nico, and Julien do it, it's going to be fun. I hope we'll have one or two stints on track at the same time and that we can battle it out.

Comments collected by Michaël Duforest, in Le Mans.

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