Roaring Lyon

It’s January 2015. Porsche works racing driver Kévin Estre has arrived in Sydney. It is his first visit to the famous harbour city. Still buzzing from the weekend’s Daytona 24 Hours race, he is struck by two unexpected discoveries. 

“Coffee and chill,” he says, laughing. “I stopped at one of the many cafés scattered throughout the city and I was surprised at how fantastic the coffee was. It was like being in Italy. It was a Monday morning and even though everyone appeared to be on their way to work, it didn’t have a rush hour feeling. People were relaxed, drinking their coffee and taking their time.” 

Estre’s path up the Porsche racing pyramid began in 2008, his first season in Porsche Carrera Cup France. “Like many kids, I dreamt of becoming a Formula One driver. I did two seasons of single-seat racing in France but after that I didn't have the budget to continue. When I got the chance to compete in Porsche Carrera Cup France, I went for it. I had the good example of fellow racer Patrick Pilet. He had just won the Porsche Carrera Cup France after only one year, earning a factory contract. His promotion saw me replace him, and that’s how I started my racing career with Porsche.”

Kévin placed fifth in his first season before winning the championship in 2011. He was victorious in Germany’s Porsche Carrera Cup championship in 2013. His scorecard includes four victories in the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge. There were wins at the VLN Endurance Racing Championship Nürburgring in 2017 and 2018. He won the ADAC Total 24-hour race, also at the Nürburgring, in 2021. His CV of wins goes on. But that first Porsche Carrera Cup season honed his trademark race craft. Today, it underpins his reputation as a close combatant. “When the helmet goes on,” he says, “I automatically flick the switch.” And when it comes to overtaking, he doesn’t need an invitation. “I’m probably on the aggressive side when it comes to passing. It goes back to when my father taught me how to race and overtake. When I was aged nine or 10, we always finished our karting test days with my father racing with us. He would have a faster go-kart and we had to try to pass him. He would pass us back and show us what to do, and what not to do.” It certainly worked. Estre’s racetrack moves make him a fan favourite.

Search YouTube for the Porsche documentary ENDURANCE to see his overtaking skills in action. You will hold your breath watching him dice with competitors at the 2019 24 Hours of Le Mans. And his “pass on the grass” during that year’s Nürburgring 24-hour race leaves his teammates visibly stunned, and circuit commentator John Hindhaugh searching for words (head straight to 1:07:40 to see it). Kévin’s daring moves have been viewed online millions of times. As well as entertaining racing fans, they have earned him some of motorsport’s biggest trophies, including his favourite. “That was the 24 Hours of Le Mans win in GT in 2018,” he says, smiling. “It was the 70th anniversary of Porsche. We raced in a special livery and we won against intense competition.”

Today, Estre’s office is the advanced 519 kW (706 PS) Porsche 963. The LMDh-spec hypercar is a step up from the GT-class 911 rockets that have propelled him to so many wins and podiums. But he stays in close touch with the car that has taken him so far. “I just took delivery of my new 911 GT3 Touring. It’s Black with Neodyme-coloured wheels.” It’s quickly becoming his favourite Porsche sportscar. But in classic Estre style, it will need to overtake a modern classic to claim the title. “I love the Carrera GT,” he says. “My teammate André Lotterer has one. I’d love to drive it but I’m still waiting for an invitation.”