Esteban Alexandre Heinrich Masson (born 18 September 2004) is a French and Canadian racing driver competing in the European Le Mans Series for Forestier Racing by Panis in LMP2 and the FIA World Endurance Championship for Akkodis ASP Team in LMGT3. He is also the reserve driver for Toyota Racing in Hypercar. Masson won the 2025 European Le Mans Series for VDS Panis Racing, partnering Oliver Gray and Charles Milesi. In junior formulae, he was a French F4 and Eurocup-3 champion.
Early career Karting Having been born in Canada, Masson discovered karting at the age of three. He started winning titles after moving to France, with regional and national championships in the categories mini-kart, Minimes and Cadets. In 2018, Masson took the National Series Karting title and followed it up the following year by winning the French Junior Championship. Masson continued karting in 2020, finishing fifth in the IAME Euro Series.
Formula 4
2019 Masson made his single-seater debut in the final round of the 2019 French F4 Championship. He finished all three races at the Paul Ricard Circuit outside of the top-ten, with a best result of eleventh in race 3.
2020 The following year, Masson again raced solely in the last round of French F4 at Le Castellet. This time his results would improve, as he ended two races in points-paying positions. However, due to his status as a guest driver, Masson didn't receive any championship points.
2021 Masson joined the French F4 Championship on a full-time basis for the first time in 2021. He started his campaign out in brilliant fashion, winning the opening race at Nogaro and taking an early championship lead after three successive victories, two in Magny-Cours and one at the Hungaroring. However, two comparatively weak rounds at Lédenon and Monza threw Masson back behind his closest rival Macéo Capietto, who had scored four podiums from those rounds compared to Masson's one. The latter would get back to winning ways in the penultimate round in Le Castellet, and took another win in the first race of the final round in Nevers. The final race threw up controversy in the title fight: having taken pole position Masson remained in the lead of the race and the standings until the last lap, when Capietto, who was trying to make a last-gasp overtake for the lead, collided with Masson, putting him out of the race and provisionally handing Capietto the title. Following an investigation by the race stewards Capietto was disqualified from all results of that weekend, handing Masson the title.
Formula Regional 2022
For the 2022 season, Masson progressed to the Formula Regional European Championship as one of the French Federation of Automobile Sport's five Équipe de France representatives. He joined two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso's team, FA Racing, alongside Victor Bernier and Nicolás Baptiste. At Zandvoort, Masson collided with Pietro Delli Guanti approaching turn two, sending the Italian into a roll. Fortunately however, both drivers exited the scene uninjured and neither were given a penalty by the race stewards.
Before the round at Spa-Francorchamps, it was announced that Masson would switch to ART Grand Prix, replacing Mari Boya. He would not score any points with the French outfit and finished 24th in the standings, with his only point being scored at the Hungaroring.
2023
Masson returned to the Formula Regional European Championship with Saintéloc Racing during the Hungaroring weekend. Masson scored his and Saintéloc's first podium in FRECA with a second place in Circuit Paul Ricard. With three other points finishes, he ranked 16th in the standings.
Eurocup-3
Masson moved to Eurocup-3 for 2023, with Campos Racing. After a slow start to the season, Masson secured a double victory in Aragón. After a double podium in Monza propped him to the championship lead, second double victory in Zandvoort handed him a further cushion. However, he was forced to endure a double DNF in Circuito de Jerez, which significantly reduced his lead. The next two rounds would see title rival Mari Boya haul closer into title contention with two wins and two podiums, with Masson's podiums only being his two wins, reducing the gap between the two to a single point heading into the season finale in Barcelona. However, he controlled things perfectly by winning both races, clinching the title.
Super Formula Lights Masson returned to single-seaters in 2025, competing in the Super Formula Lights with TOM'S.
Sportscar career 2023 Masson made his debut in endurance racing in the final round of the 2023 FIA World Endurance Championship at the 8 Hours of Bahrain. He joined Kessel Racing in the LMGTE Am category. He finished in fifth place.
2024 For 2024, Masson pivoted to the World Endurance Championship on a full-time basis, joining Akkodis ASP Team in the LMGT3 category alongside José María López and Takeshi Kimura. In a challenging season for the team, Masson only finished in the points at Le Mans, ending up 27th in the drivers' standings.
In addition, Masson partnered Kimura and Daniel Serra at Kessel Racing in the European Le Mans Series. After a modest start to the campaign, the trio finished fourth at Imola. At Spa, Masson passed Jonny Adam and Casper Stevenson for the lead during the third hour, leading the team to a dominant victory. The team won again at Mugello thanks to a late overtake from Serra on Lorcan Hanafin. The trio looked to have secured the LMGT3 title by finishing fifth at Portimão, but a late team order from the Iron Lynx outfit caused the Kessel crew to drop to second in the standings on the final lap.
2025
Masson would step up to sports prototypes for 2025, racing in the LMP2 class of the European Le Mans Series for VDS Panis Racing alongside Ollie Gray and Charles Milesi. After finishing second in the Pro class at Barcelona and sixth in class at Le Castellet, the trio took victory at Imola. A commanding middle part of the race from Masson allowed VDS Panis to win again at Spa. Masson then claimed pole at Silverstone in his first ever LMP2 qualifying appearance. During the race, a penalty for Gray set the team back, leaving the No. 48 eighth in class. Nevertheless, Masson and his teammates were able to clinch the LMP2 title by winning the Portimão finale in dominant fashion.
Masson also raced for the team at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, partnering Gray and Franck Perera. Having fought for the lead alongside the No. 43 Inter Europol Competition entry from the race's second half onwards, Masson looked to have secured victory when rival Nick Yelloly received a drive-through penalty. However, a suspension failure with 15 minutes to go allowed Inter Europol to re-take the lead, with Masson nursing the car home in second place. At the end of the year, Masson was given an honourable mention by online magazine Dailysportscar in its article about the Prototype Driver of the Year.
2026 At the start of 2026, Masson competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona with Vasser Sullivan Racing in the GTD category, finishing ninth. He performed double duties during the main campaign, partnering Gray and Louis Rousset at Forestier Racing by Panis to defend their ELMS title, and driving with Hadrien David and Tom Van Rompuy at Akkodis ASP in the World Championship.
The ELMS season started with a win at Barcelona, where Masson went on a late charge to pass Ben Hanley, Jack Doohan, and Reshad de Gerus in the final stint. He then took pole position at Le Castellet, but retired with a technical issue while running second. Masson drove for Forestier Racing at Le Mans, where he set the fastest time in qualifying and finished third in class during the race. He scored another pole at Imola, where he undercut the No. 22 United Autosports car of Hanley for the lead before driving out a gap of almost one minute in the final hour. The team finished on the rostrum at Spa, being promoted to second post-race thanks to a penalty for the Vector Sport entry. At a rain-affected Silverstone, the Forestier entry suffered a huge blow in the championship fight, finishing ninth after Gray lost two laps by spinning into the gravel during a downpour.
Racing record
Racing career summary Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position 2019 French F4 Championship FFSA Academy 3 0 0 0 0 0 NC† 2020 French F4 Championship FFSA Academy 3 0 0 0 0 0 NC† 2021 French F4 Championship FFSA Academy 20 6 9 5 10 236 1st 2022 Formula Regional European Championship FA Racing by MP 12 0 0 0 0 1 24th ART Grand Prix 8 0 0 0 0 2023 Eurocup-3 Campos Racing 16 8 6 7 10 2731st Formula Regional European Championship Saintéloc Racing 12 0 0 0 1 39 16th FIA World Endurance Championship - LMGTE Am Kessel Racing 1 0 0 0 0 15 21st2024 FIA World Endurance Championship - LMGT3 Akkodis ASP Team 8 0 0 0 0 8 27th European Le Mans Series - LMGT3 Kessel Racing 6 2 0 2 2 74 2nd2024–25 Asian Le Mans Series - GT CarGuy Racing 2 1 0 0 1 25 15th 2025 European Le Mans Series - LMP2 VDS Panis Racing 6 3 1 0 4 106 1st 24 Hours of Le Mans – LMP2 1 0 0 0 1 N/A2nd Super Formula Lights TOM'S 15 0 0 0 3 31 7th FIA World Endurance Championship - LMGT3 Akkodis ASP Team 1 0 0 0 1 15 21st Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie - SP8T Toyota Gazoo Racing 2 0 0 0 0 3 NC†KCMG 1 0 0 0 0 2026FIA World Endurance Championship - LMGT3Akkodis ASP Team 5 0 1 0 0 2 26th*European Le Mans Series - LMP2Forestier Racing by Panis 5 2 2 1 3 72*2nd* 24 Hours of Le Mans – LMP2 1 0 1 0 1 N/A3rd IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTD Vasser Sullivan Racing 1 0 0 0 0 237 68th 24 Hours of Le Mans - Hypercar Toyota Racing Reserve driver 2026–27 Asian Le Mans Series – GT CarGuy Racing * * * Season still in progress. † As Masson was a guest driver, he was ineligible to score points.
Complete French F4 Championship results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) Year123456789101112131415161718192021PosPoints 2019NOG1NOG2NOG3PAU1PAU2PAU3SPA1SPA2SPA3LÉD1LÉD2LÉD3HUN1HUN2HUN3MAG1MAG2MAG3LEC1LEC2LEC3NC†0 2020NOG1NOG2NOG3MAG1MAG2MAG3ZAN1ZAN2ZAN3LEC11LEC12LEC13SPA1SPA2SPA3LEC21LEC22LEC23LEC31LEC32LEC33NC†0 2021NOG1NOG2NOG3MAG11MAG12MAG13HUN1HUN2HUN3LÉD1LÉD2LÉD3MNZ1MNZ2MNZ3LEC1LEC2LEC3MAG21MAG22MAG231st † As Masson was a guest driver, he was ineligible to score points.
Complete Formula Regional European Championship results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) YearTeam1234567891011121314151617181920DCPoints 2022 FA Racing by MPMNZ1MNZ2IMO1IMO2MCO1MCO2LEC1LEC2ZAN1ZAN2HUN1HUN2 24th 1ART Grand PrixSPA1SPA2RBR1RBR2CAT1CAT2MUG1MUG2 2023 Saintéloc Racing IMO1 IMO2 CAT1 CAT2 HUN1 HUN2 SPA1 SPA2 MUG1 MUG2 LEC1 LEC2 RBR1 RBR2 MNZ1 MNZ2 ZAN1 ZAN2 HOC1 HOC2 16th 39 * Season still in progress.
Complete Eurocup-3 results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) YearTeam12345678910111213141516DCPoints 2023 Campos Racing SPA1SPA2 ARA1 ARA2 MNZ1 MNZ2 ZAN1 ZAN2JER1 JER2EST1EST2CRT1CRT2CAT1CAT21st 273
Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap) Year Entrant Class Car Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rank Points 2023 Kessel Racing LMGTE Am Ferrari 488 GTE Evo Ferrari F154CB 3.9 L Turbo V8 SEB ALG SPA LMS MNZ FUJ BHR 21st 15 2024 Akkodis ASP Team LMGT3 Lexus RC F GT3 Lexus 2UR-GSE 5.0 L V8 QAT IMO SPA LMS SÃO COA FUJ BHR 27th 8 2025 Akkodis ASP Team LMGT3 Lexus RC F GT3 Lexus 2UR-GSE 5.0 L V8 QAT IMO SPA LMS SÃO COA FUJ BHR 21st 15 2026 Akkodis ASP Team LMGT3 Lexus RC F GT3 Lexus 2UR-GSE 5.0 L V8 IMO SPA LMS SÃO COA FUJ CAT MNZ 26th* 2* * Season still in progress.
Complete European Le Mans Series results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)