Estre Poised for Shock Move to Toyota in 2027

Porsche factory driver Kevin Estre looks set for a return to the FIA World Endurance Championship with Toyota Racing for 2027.

The 37-year-old French driver, who was part of Porsche’s title-winning effort in 2024, shifted to full-time IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competition this year following the German marque’s decision last year to withdraw from the WEC’s Hypercar class.

However, well-informed paddock speculation, first reported by French publication Endurance24, has linked Estre to Toyota, where he would most likely take the place of Mike Conway within the Japanese marque’s roster.

Sportscar365 understands this could take the form of a loan deal as Estre’s current agreement with Porsche is known to be valid through 2027.

Speaking to Sportscar365 in Long Beach, Estre did not deny the possibility but underlined that he expects to remain a Porsche driver next season.

”I am focusing on what I do now,” Estre said. “I have a contract with Porsche.

”I will drive for Porsche for next year as well. That’s what I can say for now.”

Asked whether he could be loaned out to an alternative manufacturer, Estre pointed out “I have been loaned out to LMP2 for Le Mans!” in reference to his recently-announced deal to join TDS Racing for this year’s running of the French classic in the absence of Porsche from the top class.

He added: “Porsche has never been locking us [down] like crazy, they always allow us to do some [other] stuff, but this is too far away to talk about.”

Toyota Racing technical director David Floury meanwhile did not comment directly on the prospect of Estre joining the Cologne outfit next season.

“We know there are some rumors going around, but at the moment we are focused on 2026,” Floury told reporters at Imola when asked about any potential lineup changes for next year.

Conway’s position in the Toyota lineup has been regarded as precarious for some time, but the decision to introduce an updated car for 2026 is known to have played a role in the squad’s decision to maintain an unchanged lineup for the current campaign.

The British driver has been connected to a possible switch to Ford for 2027 as the ‘Blue Oval’ prepares to enter the WEC’s Hypercar class.

Esteban Masson is also regarded as a possible candidate to step up to a Toyota WEC race seat as early as 2027, but Estre’s pending arrival raises the possibility that the Akkodis ASP Lexus driver may be forced to wait another year for a promotion.

On the other hand, Toyota is known to be pushing for Ryo Hirakawa to land a Formula 1 seat with Haas in 2027, while Brendon Hartley’s place within the team is also not regarded as being completely secure.

John Dagys contributed to this report