Connect with us

FIA WEC

Estre Completes Porsche’s GTE-Pro Lineup

Kevin Estre confirmed as final Porsche GTE-Pro factory driver…

Photo: Porsche

Photo: Porsche

Kevin Estre has been confirmed as the fourth and final full-season driver in Porsche’s factory GTE-Pro effort in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The Frenchman, who was initially announced as a full-time driver in Porsche’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship lineup, is poised to shift his focus to the WEC, in the wake of Gianmaria Bruni’s signing with the manufacturer.

Estre will team up with Michael Christensen in the No. 92 Porsche 911 RSR, with 2015 GT World Champion Richard Lietz and Fred Makowiecki set to pilot the No. 91 entry.

Both cars will run under the “Porsche GT Team” moniker, which is new for this year.

Third drivers for the 24 Hours of Le Mans have not yet been announced, although Head of Porsche Motorsport, Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser told Sportscar365 that it would be comprised of drivers from its IMSA factory lineup.

“In the fight for the maiden GT World Championship title in the FIA WEC we’ve put together two strong driver pairings,” Walliser said. “And all four pilots come from the world’s best GT hotbed of talent, Porsche’s one-make race series.”

Porsche has yet to comment on Bruni’s placement in the IMSA lineup, only confirming he will begin taking part in races beginning in July.

It’s understood Porsche had kept the fourth full-season WEC seat open for Bruni, although the conditions on the Italian driver’s exit from Ferrari have precluded him from a WEC program this year.

Estre had been confirmed alongside Laurens Vanthoor in the No. 912 for the WeatherTech Championship season and is expected to remain in the car until Bruni becomes available.

However, it’s unclear how Porsche will handle a clash with the second round of the WEC at Spa and the WeatherTech Championship race at Circuit of The Americas in May, which is on the same weekend.

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

8 Comments
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

More in FIA WEC