Esteban Masson: Toyota’s Rising Hypercar Prospect
Toyota’s Hypercar line-up is among the most coveted in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), and one young driver is quietly making a strong case to join the Japanese giant’s elite roster: Esteban Masson. The 21-year-old Canadian-born Frenchman has been steadily climbing the endurance racing ladder, combining speed, consistency, and adaptability—qualities Toyota prizes in its future factory drivers.
Masson’s career began in single-seaters, where he made an immediate impact by winning the French F4 championship in his rookie year. He then progressed to the highly competitive Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) in 2022, where results were harder to come by across two seasons, although flashes of pace were evident. A championship-winning campaign in the Eurocup series later demonstrated his underlying potential.
The switch to sportscar racing in 2024 proved pivotal. Masson finished second in the European Le Mans Series’ GT class with Kessel Racing, while also taking on a dual programme in the WEC with ASP Motorsport, racing the #87 Lexus RC F GT3 as the team’s silver-graded driver. Although the car struggled for outright competitiveness, Masson impressed Toyota enough to earn a GR010 Hybrid test in Bahrain.
In 2025, Masson formally joined Toyota’s TGR Driver Challenge, splitting his efforts between the ELMS LMP2 class and Japan’s Super Formula Lights championship. He claimed the ELMS overall title with CDS Panis Racing alongside Oliver Gray and Charles Milesi, narrowly missing victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours due to a late technical issue. His performances cemented him as one of the standout young endurance drivers in Europe.
| Year | Championship | Team | Result | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | French F4 | N/A | 1st | Rookie championship win |
| 2022–23 | FRECA | Various | Mid-field | Demonstrated raw pace |
| 2024 | ELMS GT | Kessel Racing | 2nd | First major sportscar podium |
| 2024 | WEC LMGT3 | ASP Motorsport | N/A | GR010 Hybrid test |
| 2025 | ELMS LMP2 | CDS Panis Racing | 1st | Championship win |
| 2025 | Super Formula Lights | N/A | Competitive | Gained international exposure |
ASP team boss Jérôme Policand, who has followed Masson since his karting days, described him as “something special,” noting that he possesses the skills to reach the Hypercar category. Masson has already demonstrated his ability to step up when needed, substituting for factory driver Ben Barnicoat at Imola and helping secure a podium.
Toyota’s vice-chairman Kazuki Nakajima also praised Masson’s progress, highlighting the driver’s integration into the TGR development programme. “He’s performing really well and progressing quite well,” Nakajima said. “We’re lucky to have such a driver in our young driver programme. He’s definitely on our radar for the future.”
With the #78 ASP Lexus RC F GT3 now a race-winning package for the 2026 season, Masson will have the perfect platform to further his case. Success this year could position him as a prime candidate for Toyota’s Hypercar programme, potentially following in the footsteps of Nyck de Vries and Ryo Hirakawa as the next young talent to ascend to the marque’s top category.
