Kevin Estre: “LMGTE Pro battle will be just as fierce”

There are plenty of changes to the LMGTE Pro class for FIA WEC Season 8 as Ferrari and Aston Martin aim to knock Porsche from the top of the title tree.

There is no doubt that the Porsche GT Team will be tough to beat, however, having evolved their Porsche 911 RSR design to help them prepare for another title. 

“There are major changes but it’s the same base of the chassis and the same front headlights.  Apart from that, it’s pretty much a new car,” explains reigning champion, Kevin Estre.

“When you look from afar you don’t notice so much because it has the DNA of a 911, but it is in the details and basically everything is new. The development has been good, but you definitely feel that you are in a 911.  It is similar to our old car, but it has been improved in many ways.”

Estre also believes that the LMGTE Pro class will be just as entertaining as it has proved to be in previous seasons.

Last term, all manufacturers bar one took a victory and each was in the hunt for race honours. Now, the trio of major manufacturers are set for another season-long battle.

“The competition will remain the same because everybody is so close,” says Estre, who along with teammate Michael Christensen took class wins at Le Mans [2018] and Fuji last season, as well as three other podium results.

“All of the manufacturers were close last year, so there’s no reason why this year will be any different. Ferrari is always up there - they have good experience with the car and they finished second in the championship.”

“Towards the middle and end of last season, Aston Martin showed they have the pace so I think they will be in a good position from round one.”

Want to watch the LMGTE Pro class of Season 8 at the WEC 4 Hours of Silverstone next week? Click HERE for ticketing information.