Esteban Masson

Esteban Alexandre Heinrich Masson (born 18 September 2004) is a Canadian-French racing driver who currently competes in the World Endurance Championship for Akkodis ASP Team, as well as in the European Le Mans Series with Forestier Racing by Panis. He is the 2021 French F4 and the 2023 Eurocup-3 champion. Masson previously competed in Super Formula Lights with TOM'S.

Early career

Karting

Having been born in Canada, Masson discovered karting at the age of three.^[1] 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.^[2] Masson continued karting in 2020, finishing fifth in the IAME Euro Series.^[3]

Formula 4

2019

Masson made his single-seater debut in the final round of the 2019 French F4 Championship.^[4] He finished all three races at the Paul Ricard Circuit outside of the top-ten, with a best result of eleventh in race 3.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[5] 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.^[6] 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.^[7] 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.^[8] 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.^[9] 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.^[10] Following an investigation by the race stewards Capietto was disqualified from all results of that weekend, handing Masson the title.^[11][12][13]

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.^[14] He joined two-time Formula One World Champion Fernando Alonso's team, FA Racing, alongside Victor Bernier and Nicolás Baptiste.^[15][16] 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.^[17]

Before the round at Spa-Francorchamps, it was announced that Masson would switch to ART Grand Prix, replacing Mari Boya.^[18] 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.^[19]

2023

Masson returned to the Formula Regional European Championship with Saintéloc Racing during the Hungaroring weekend.^[20] Masson scored his and Saintéloc's first podium in FRECA with a second place in Circuit Paul Ricard.^[21] With three other points finishes, he ranked 16th in the standings.

Eurocup-3

Masson moved to Eurocup-3 for 2023, with Campos Racing.^[22] After a slow start to the season, Masson secured a double victory in Aragón.^[23] After a double podium in Monza propped him to the championship lead,^[24] second double victory in Zandvoort handed him a further cushion.^[25] However, he was forced to endure a double DNF in Circuito de Jerez, which significantly reduced his lead.^[26] 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.^[27] However, he controlled things perfectly by winning both races, clinching the title.^[28]

Super Formula Lights

Masson returned to single-seaters in 2025, competing in the Super Formula Lights with TOM'S.^[29]

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.^[30] 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.^[31]

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.^[32]

2026

At the start of 2026, Masson competed in the 24 Hours of Daytona with Vasser Sullivan Racing in the GTD category.^[33]

In April 2026, Masson won the opening round of the European Le Mans Series, the 4 Hours of Barcelona, with Forestier Racing by Panis alongside Oliver Gray and Louis Rousset.^[34][35]

Racing record

Racing career summary

^* 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)

^† 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)

* Season still in progress.

Complete Eurocup-3 results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

^* Season still in progress.

Complete European Le Mans Series results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

^* Season still in progress.

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

Complete Super Formula Lights results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

References

1. ^ "Esteban Masson respire et vit le kart" (in French). ouest-france.fr. 30 April 2016. Archived 25 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
2. ^ Iván Silvestre (10 October 2019). "DADD : toute une équipe pour le titre d'Esteban Masson" (in French). formularapida.net. Archived 27 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
3. ^ "IAME Euro Series: Enzo Leveque vice-Champion en X30 Senior" (in French). kartmag.fr. 15 October 2020. Archived 25 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
4. ^ "FFSA Academy: Final round full of interest at Paul Ricard". FFSA Academy. October 7, 2019. Archived 16 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
5. ^ Ida Wood (21 November 2020). "Hadjar and Cabirou win Saturday races of French F4 Paul Ricard finale". formulascout.com. Archived 26 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
6. ^ "F4 Academy: The Easter Cup at Nogaro launches the 2021 season". FFSA Academy. 23 March 2021. Archived 2021-03-23 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2 April 2021.
7. ^ Wood, Ida (2021-08-13). "Scout Report: Esteban Masson". Formula Scout. Archived 16 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
8. ^ Wood, Ida (25 September 2021). "Vayron wins, Masson loses title lead to retirement in French F4 at Monza". Formula Scout. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
9. ^ "Masson eyes FRECA seat as he prepares for French F4 finale: 'It's quite tense'". Feeder Series. 20 October 2021. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
10. ^ Allen, Peter (2021-10-24). "Capietto and Masson collide over French F4 title, Barter wins finale". Formula Scout. Archived 26 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
11. ^ Allen, Peter (2021-10-24). "Masson is French F4 champion after Capietto excluded for crash". Formula Scout. Archived 1 March 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
12. ^ Kartcom (2021-12-11). "French F4 Championship standings confirm Esteban Masson's title". Archived 9 January 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
13. ^ "Ancenis-Saint-Géréon. Esteban Masson sacré champion de France de Formule 4" (in French). ouest-france.fr. 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
14. ^ "Cinq pilotes sélectionnés en équipe de France FFSA Circuit 2022" (in French). L'Équipe. 2022-02-01. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
15. ^ "Esteban Masson joins FA Racing for Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine debut season" (in it-IT). Formula Regional by Alpine. 2022-03-18. Archived 22 March 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
16. ^ Satis, Jérémy (2022-03-18). "Le champion de France F4 Esteban Masson monte en FRECA" (in French). AutoHebdo. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
17. ^ Sticher, Etienne (20 June 2022). "Nachwuchs-Rennfahrer fliegt über die Absperrung" (in German). Nau. Retrieved 2022-06-20.
18. ^ "Esteban Masson joins ART for the remainder of the FRECA season". ART Grand Prix. 26 July 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
19. ^ "Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine 2022 standings". DriverDB. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
20. ^ Wood, Ida (12 June 2023). "Eurocup-3 leader Esteban Masson to make FREC return this weekend". Formula Scout. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
21. ^ "A first podium at home in FRECA". Saintéloc Racing. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
22. ^ Wood, Ida (24 March 2023). "Campos's Eurocup-3 line-up grows to four cars with addition of Masson". Formula Scout. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
23. ^ "Esteban Masson scores double win at Motorland Aragón. Braschi still leads with two podiums". Campos Racing. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
24. ^ "Esteban Masson scores double podium at Monza and takes the lead". Campos Racing. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
25. ^ Wood, Ida (16 July 2023). "Esteban Masson extends Eurocup-3 lead with two wins at Zandvoort". Formula Scout. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
26. ^ "Braschi regains winning form. Inthraphuvasak adds another podium to his tally". Campos Racing. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
27. ^ "Eurocup-3 season finale: Everything you need to know about the title fight". Feeder Series. 10 November 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
28. ^ Wood, Ida (12 November 2023). "Masson claims Eurocup-3 crown with controlled drive to victory in finale". Formula Scout. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
29. ^ "Zak O'Sullivan makes Super Formula switch as Toyota reveals line-ups". Formula Scout. 25 December 2024. Retrieved 25 December 2024.
30. ^ "FIA WECFRECA Driver Masson Joins Kessel for 8H Bahrain". Sportscar365. 30 October 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
31. ^ "Akkodis ASP Team presents their two FIA WEC crews". endurance-info.com. 13 December 2023. Retrieved 25 December 2023.
32. ^ Euwema, Davey (17 February 2025). "Masson to Make LMP2 Debut in VDS Panis Oreca". Sportscar365. John Dagys Media. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
33. ^ "24 Hours of Daytona 2026: 8 feeder series drivers and 2025 graduates to watch". Feeder Series. 24 January 2026. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
34. ^ "Victory in Barcelona for Forestier Racing by Panis". www.europeanlemansseries.com. Retrieved 2026-04-13.
35. ^ "Panis Overcomes Penalty to Win 4H Barcelona – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com. 2026-04-12. Retrieved 2026-04-13.