Chester Kieffer would look forward to a duel with Max Verstappen

At the weekend it gets serious for Chester Kieffer again: Then the 18-year-old would like to demonstrate his talent again. In the Porsche Carrera Cup France there are two races in Dijon on the calendar. Kieffer would like to convince and prove that he can put himself in the limelight against the mostly older competition. The opening weekend in Barcelona has proven that he can do this: places five and seven underpower that he has settled in the new Porsche 992.

Last year he was still in France’s Formula 4. After fourth place in the classification, the leap made the Porsche cockpit. The change has already paid off. At the beginning of the year, Kieffer started the Schumacher Clrt team in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Southern Europe. He secured the title of the rookie champion early on. After eight races at four locations, he also ended the overall ranking as a good third party.

Now it goes to the racetrack Dijon-Prenois. The Porsche Carrera Cup France is a real challenge because Kieffer lacks experience compared to the rivals. But that’s why he doesn’t need to be afraid of the competition. Sixth place (21 points) after the opening weekend is impressive.

Formula 4 as a springboard

As a child, Kieffer discovered his passion for racing. « When I was small, I looked quite a lot of Formula 1 and thus came the passion for motorsport, » he says. « My role model is and has always been Sebastian Vettel, » he adds. He would particularly look forward to a duel with Max Verstappen. « I would like to know what it feels like to drive against him and whether I could survive against him with my driving style. »

At the age of 15, Kieffer started in 2022 as a newcomer to karting in the Iame Benelux X30 Championship. His consistently good performance gave him a wildcard for the World Finals in Le Mans. For him that was ambition to want more and more. « You always want to be first. If you did it, you want to stay first. I just want to show that I am the best. » The 18-year-old does not want to be put under pressure. « I don’t make too high expectations and I just always do my best. »

After his remarkable achievements in karting, Kieffer in 2024 joined the FFSA Academy, a renowned training center in Le Mans. As the official organizer of the French Formula 4, Kieffer finished the season in fourth place with impressive results.

The change in the Porsche followed. For him this was the best decision. « There are many more drivers in formula sports than there are places. » The plan was to stay in the GT area as soon as possible. He did this and thus did the next development step in his young career.

The aim of the talent is to end up at Porsche or another team as a factory driver. He has considered a place in the Hypercar World Endurance Championship. Almost all large brands are represented there. Drivers like Mick Schumacher, Jenson Button, Kevin Magnussen or Robert Kubica ensure a very high sporting level.

Trying out a different motorsport class is currently not on Kieffers. Although he admits: « If I got good deals now, I might also drive the Super Formula in Japan. » He will probably not be able to compete with Verstappen. Kieffer reveals: « My ambition was never to go the way to Formula 1. » However, he would like to annoy the Porsche competitors in France. Ideally already on the weekend.