Porsche Junior 2026 Selection Concludes: Future Racing Stars Emerge

Porsche Motorsport has successfully completed the rigorous selection process to identify the Porsche Junior for 2026. Twelve promising young drivers from around the globe underwent a demanding four-day evaluation in Cologne and at Portugal's Circuito Estoril. The chosen candidate will receive comprehensive support, potentially launching a professional motorsport career.

Key Takeaways

• Twelve talented young drivers participated in a four-day selection process.

• The evaluation included physical, mental, and on-track performance assessments.

• The winner will be announced on November 29th at the Porsche Night of Champions.

• The Porsche Junior program has been nurturing talent since 1997.

The Intense Selection Process

The selection process for the 2026 Porsche Junior was a high-stakes affair, involving twelve exceptionally talented young drivers from Porsche's global one-make series. The candidates faced a demanding four-day evaluation, split between the Porsche Esport Performance Centre (PEPC) in Cologne and the historic Circuito Estoril in Portugal.

In Cologne, the aspiring racers underwent crucial medical checks to assess their physical fitness, reaction times, and concentration levels. Comprehensive interviews, some conducted on camera, provided judges with insights into their character. Extensive sim racing sessions also formed part of the assessment, reflecting the importance of simulator preparation in modern motorsport.

The focus then shifted to the 4.182-kilometer circuit in Estoril, where the drivers put their skills to the test in four identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars. Over two days, they completed 750 laps, covering a total distance of 3,136.5 kilometers, simulating the demands of a Carrera Cup weekend with practice, qualifying, and race distance runs. Despite challenging weather conditions, the drivers, aged 18 to 23, demonstrated remarkable consistency and minimal errors.

A Holistic Evaluation

Sascha Maassen, a former Porsche factory driver and member of the selection jury, emphasized the commitment to ensuring equality of opportunity. "For us, the focus was on ensuring the greatest possible equality of opportunity: it's not the external conditions that should make the difference, but the candidates themselves," he stated. While fast lap times and error-free driving were critical, the jury also evaluated how candidates interacted with engineers, their feedback on the vehicle, their learning capacity, and their ability to motivate a team.

The Prize: A Stepping Stone to Professionalism

The winner of the Porsche Junior shootout will receive a substantial support package for the 2026 season, announced on November 29th at the Porsche Night of Champions. This includes a grant of up to €225,000 to compete in the eight races of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, alongside participation in one of Porsche's global Carrera Cups. Beyond financial aid, the selected driver will benefit from extensive training and further education covering technical understanding, engineering collaboration, mental conditioning, media training, and PR activities, all supported by sports physicians.

Nurturing Talent Since 1997

The Porsche Junior program, established in 1997, has a proven track record of developing rising racing talents into professionals. "With the Junior Programme, Porsche has been promoting rising racing talents on their way to becoming professionals since 1997," explained Jasmin Steidle-Faas, Porsche Junior Programme Organisation. The program's foundation lies in the numerous successful junior initiatives within Porsche's national and regional one-make cups worldwide.

The Candidates

The twelve finalists vying for the Porsche Junior 2026 title were:

• Marcus Amand (Finland, 19) – PCC France

• Matheus de Barros Comparatto (Brazil, 18) – PCC Brazil

• Paul Cauhaupé (France, 20) – Wild Card (PCC France)

• Bayley Hall (Australia, 22) – PCC Australia

• Sam Jongejan (Netherlands, 20) – PCC Benelux

• William Martin (Great Britain, 22) – PCC Great Britain

• Flynt Schuring (Netherlands, 19) – PSCC Germany

• William Siverholm (Sweden, 20) – PCC Scandinavia

• Janne Stiak (Germany, 18) – PCC Middle East

• Alexander Tauscher (Germany, 23) – PCC Italia

• Enzo Trulli (Italy, 20) – PCC Asia

• Zachary Vanier (Canada, 23) – PCC North America

(PCC = Porsche Carrera Cup)