Masson Eager to Take On Akkodis ASP Team Leader Role

Toyota-backed Esteban Masson says he “feels ready” to take on the role of team leader in the No. 78 Akkodis ASP Lexus crew as he prepares to make his return to the FIA World Endurance Championship this year after a season away.

Masson was named as one of ASP’s two designated Pro drivers for the 2026 campaign in December, having spent last year focusing on the European Le Mans Series and the Super Formula Lights series in Japan with Toyota’s blessing.

He will share the No. 78 Lexus RC F GT3 with two newcomers to the Jerome Policand-led team, FIA Bronze-rated Tom van Rompuy and WEC rookie Hadrien David.

Comparing his new role to his first season in WEC with ASP in 2024, when he was his car’s FIA Silver-rated driver, Masson says the experience he has gained in his year away from the series makes him much better equipped for his return.

“In 2024, it was my first season in GT cars, so I was discovering everything for the first time,” Masson told Sportscar365. “I didn’t have the status as team leader that I have now, so for sure it will be different this time. I am really looking forward to it.

“I enjoy working deeply with the team, with the Silver and Bronze drivers. I have the role of leading the car forward now and I feel ready for it.

“I have much more experience than I had in 2024, I won the title last year in ELMS, so it’s another step in my career I would say. We have a strong lineup, a strong team, and the car performed well last year so we have everything we need to do well.”

On his new co-drivers van Rompuy and David, Masson added: “Tom is a really good Bronze, I couldn’t be happier. He’s fast and he is always bringing back the car, which is exactly what you want from a Bronze driver.

“Hadrien is really quick as well, and I’ve no doubt we will be competitive.”

ASP enjoyed a breakthrough 2025 season that featured wins in Sao Paulo and Bahrain, the team’s first in the LMGT3 category, although both triumphs came on weekends where the new Goodyear Eagle Hard tire was in use.

With that tire no longer being used this year, Masson says he has no concerns that it will lead to a decline in the team’s competitiveness, citing the team’s performance on his one-off outing for the team in last year’s Imola round.

“I never drove the Hard tire last year, so I don’t have much information about it, but obviously looking at the two [dry] races they did on the Hard tire, both were won by the Lexus,” said Masson. “But I don’t think ours was the only car that ‘liked’ it.

“It’s the same for everyone and it’s a matter of working on what we have. We did a podium at Imola last year [using the Medium tire], so I am sure it will be possible.”

Masson’s return to the WEC comes amid talk that the 21-year-old could be a candidate for a step up to Toyota’s Hypercar team as early as 2027.

He is understood to have driven for the Japanese manufacturer in a private test in Qatar last December, following on from his 2024 rookie test appearance.

“Since I signed with Toyota last year, they have supported me a lot, helping me learn about endurance racing and letting me drive in Japan [in Super Formula Lights], which makes me grow as a driver as well,” Masson said. “I am really grateful for this.

“I drove many cars last year, and I think it will be the same this year. That’s all I can say for now, but for sure the goal is to get to Hypercar as soon as possible.

“When they feel I am ready, I am sure they will find a solution for me.”