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Esteban Masson
Esteban Masson (born 18 September 2004) is a Canadian-French racing driver who is the 2021 French F4 and the 2023 Eurocup-3 champion. He is set to compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Akkodis ASP Team in the Lexus RC F GT3 alongside José María López and Takeshi Kimura. Early careerKartingHaving 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 42019Masson 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. 2020The 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. 2021Masson joined the French F4 Championship on a full-time basis for the first time in 2021.[6] The Frenchman 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 Regional2022.jpg) 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 the Circuit 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.jpg) 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.jpg) 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 force 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] Sportscar career2023Masson 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.[29] He finished in fifth place. 2024For 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.[30] Racing recordRacing career summary
† 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)
Complete European Le Mans Series results(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)
Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results
References
External links
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