Kevin Estre secured victory in the Hyperpole session at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, narrowly beating Sebastien Bourdais to take pole position in the Hypercar class. Estre, driving for Porsche Penske, delivered a stellar performance in the closing moments of the session to snatch the top spot.
Reflecting on his achievement, Estre commented, “It was a very tough session with a lot of challenges to navigate. From red flags to fuel management and tire warm-up, it was quite stressful. But I had excellent support from the pit wall, and the car felt amazing to drive. It all came together at the end, with the car feeling livelier with less fuel. I managed to put in a nearly perfect lap, and it feels incredibly special to secure pole position at my home race in France, especially in the biggest race in the world.”
The Hyperpole session was not without its drama, with a delay of 35 minutes required to repair a damaged barrier before Dries Vanthoor set the initial benchmark time in his BMW. However, Alessandro Pier Guidi in a Ferrari soon eclipsed Vanthoor’s time, with Bourdais impressing the French spectators by lowering the benchmark further in his Cadillac.
Bourdais continued to push, improving his lap time on subsequent attempts to establish himself as the frontrunner. With time running out, other contenders like the Ferraris, Alex Lynn’s Cadillac, and the Porsche Penskes made their final attempts to challenge Bourdais’ dominance.
In a thrilling climax, Estre delivered a stunning lap to clinch pole position ahead of Bourdais and Pier Guidi. The tension was palpable as the clock ticked down, with Estre’s last-ditch effort sealing the pole position for Porsche Penske in a dramatic fashion.
Aside from the Hypercar class, other categories also saw intense competition during the Hyperpole session. Inception Racing secured pole in the LMGT3 category, while AO by TF topped the timesheets in the LMP2 category, showcasing the depth of talent and competition at Le Mans.
Overall, the Hyperpole session at the 24 Hours of Le Mans delivered excitement, drama, and memorable performances, setting the stage for an action-packed race ahead. With drivers and teams showcasing their skills and determination, the stage is set for a thrilling and unforgettable endurance race at one of the most prestigious events in motorsport.
