Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Revamps Young Driver Programmes with Inaugural Talent Pool Assessment

In a landmark development for motorsport in Asia-Pacific, Porsche Motorsport is set to make significant enhancements to its young driver-focused development programmes starting with the 2024 season. The initiative will kick off with the inaugural Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Talent Pool Assessment, marking a pivotal step in nurturing the next generation of professional drivers.

Established in 2017, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Talent Pool has been instrumental in supporting drivers under 26 competing in the series. Participants in the Talent Pool receive comprehensive backing, encompassing racing coaching, financial support from Porsche, tyre assistance from Michelin, and multiple annual training camps. Additionally, they benefit from education in public relations, marketing, and media handling, equipping them with the essential skills for a successful career in motorsport.

The upcoming assessment, scheduled for 6-8 December 2023 in Malaysia, is poised to be a crucial phase in the search for young professionals to join the Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific pyramid. As candidates prepare for their 2024 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia journey, the Talent Pool offers a career-defining chance to showcase their skills on the track.

Following a global recruitment process, twelve young, talented drivers have been selected for the assessment. Over three days, they will undergo a comprehensive programme, both on and off the track, to evaluate their capabilities from various perspectives. The assessment begins with brand and product training, a visit to a Porsche Centre, interviews, and personal development evaluations.

The second and third days will see the candidates take to the Sepang International Circuit in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992). They will experience a simulated full race weekend, with 2023 Talent Pool Driver Luo Kailuo setting benchmark lap times. The focus will be on free practice simulations, technical debriefings, coaching on day two, and the crucial qualifying and race simulations on day three.

Judgement will be rendered by a distinguished jury comprising Alexandre Gibot, Managing Director of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd, Sascha Maassen, Porsche Junior Coach, and Alexandre Imperatori, Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Talent Pool Coach.

The candidates for the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Talent Pool assessment are:

• Hugo Allan (New Zealand)
• Rodrigo Almeida (Portugal/Mozambique)
• Pietro Armanni (Italy)
• Douglas Bolger (Japan/Great Britain)
• Antoine Doquin (France)
• Marco Giltrap (New Zealand)
• Mathys Jaubert (France)
• Adam Putera (Malaysia)
• Manuel Santo (Portugal)
• Hugo Schwarze (Germany)
• Jackson Walls (Australia)
• Dylan Yip (China)

Building on four years of success with the Selected Driver programme, Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific is looking to this Talent Pool as a source for future candidates, as part of its regional Driver Development programme updates. Both Alessio Picariello and Yifei Ye, previous Selected Drivers, have made remarkable progress under Porsche’s guidance, demonstrating impressive skill and translating it into notable track performances.

Alexandre Gibot expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming assessment at Sepang, noting the diversity and talent of the candidates, which reflect the global recognition and effectiveness of Porsche's commitment to developing young talent.

As the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Talent Pool Assessment approaches, the motorsport community eagerly anticipates the emergence of new talents who will shape the future of racing in the Asia-Pacific region under the auspices of Porsche Motorsport.