Porsche teammates clash over Sebring team orders

Kevin Estre accuses Felipe Nasr of not respecting team instructions in late-race battle

Mar. 22, 2026 at 9:03am

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In the closing stages of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, Porsche Penske Motorsport teammates Kevin Estre and Felipe Nasr were running 1-2 when team orders saw Estre's #6 car move ahead of Nasr's #7. However, Nasr later made a late pass on Estre, going on to claim the victory. Estre accused Nasr of not respecting the team's instructions, leading to a tense post-race press conference between the two drivers.

Why it matters

Team orders are a common occurrence in motorsports, especially in endurance racing where strategy and fuel conservation are critical. Estre's accusation that Nasr violated those orders raises questions about team dynamics and whether the drivers' personal ambitions took priority over the team's interests.

The details

With around 1 hour and 12 minutes remaining, team orders saw Estre's #6 Porsche 963, equipped with fresh tires, move ahead of Nasr in the #7 sister car as the pair ran 1-2. However, Nasr later made a late lunge into Turn 17 and passed his teammate, going on to claim the victory.

  • With roughly 1h12m to go, team orders saw Estre's #6 Porsche move ahead of Nasr's #7 car.
  • With 1h04m remaining, Nasr made a late pass on Estre to retake the lead.

The players

Kevin Estre

A French racing driver who was part of the #6 Porsche Penske Motorsport team at the Sebring 12 Hours.

Felipe Nasr

A Brazilian racing driver who was part of the #7 Porsche Penske Motorsport team at the Sebring 12 Hours and went on to claim the victory.

Porsche Penske Motorsport

The team that fielded the #6 and #7 Porsche 963 cars at the Sebring 12 Hours.

Jack Aitken

The driver of the #31 Whelen Cadillac who was challenging the Porsche Penske cars late in the race.

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What they’re saying

“Well, there was not much split really, we were on similar strategy. We stopped pretty much at the same time, just at some point, different tires. We were back and forth. But definitely at some point there was a call from the pit stand which was not respected.”

— Kevin Estre

“There's always going to be all versions, right? My version, the team version, and the other drivers' version.”

— Felipe Nasr

“I don't think I have much to say, honestly. I'm here to win at the end of the day. I did it for the team. That's what matters. It's a 1-2 in the end. Big points today for the whole organization.”

— Felipe Nasr

What’s next

The Porsche Penske Motorsport team will likely review the incident and determine if any disciplinary action is warranted against Nasr for not following team orders.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the delicate balance teams must strike between allowing their drivers to race each other freely and maintaining team unity and strategy. The tension between Estre and Nasr shows how personal ambition can sometimes clash with team objectives, even at the highest levels of motorsport.