Porsche Driver Development Members Complete Workshop

Drivers from the Porsche Motorsport North America Junior Program and Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program completed the annual driver development workshop this week, spending two days at PitFit Charlotte and Team Penske, home of Porsche Penske Motorsport’s championship-winning Porsche 963 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship program.

The workshop brought together rising stars from Porsche Carrera Cup North America, Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama and GT World Challenge America powered by AWS for physical testing, classroom sessions, and behind-the-scenes access to one of North America’s premier motorsport organizations.

Open to all members of both the Junior Program and Mobil 1 Female Driver Program, the workshop serves as a cornerstone of the year-round development pathway within the North American Porsche Motorsport Pyramid, pairing classroom instruction and professional mentorship with hands-on learning experiences.

Participants included Porsche Carrera Cup North America racers Tyler Maxson (Topp Racing), Callum Hedge (JDX Racing), Janne Stiak (ACI Motorsports), Paul Bocuse (Kellymoss), Cole Kleck (Topp), and Sabré Cook (JDX Racing).

Representing Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama were Riley Giacomazzi (Competition Motorsports), Matthew Sigel (JDX), Cody Knight (Topp), Anna Cecchi (CHR), and Taylor van Overbeek (CHR), while Therese Lahlouh (Wright Motorsports) represented GTWC America.

The workshop opened at PitFit Charlotte, where drivers completed fitness assessments led by Trey Shannon.

Testing included a 2,000-meter rowing challenge, grip strength, neck strength, and cognitive exercises designed to measure the physical and mental demands of professional racing.

For returning Porsche Mobil 1 Female Driver Program member Cook, repeating the same assessments each year provides an important benchmark.

“It’s really great to be able to come back to PitFit and repeat the same tests that we’ve been through, so we can see how we’re progressing or if maybe there are areas we need to work on,” she said.

“It might surprise people, but being fit in the race car is incredibly important. When we’re dealing with high G-loads and heat, the fitter you are, especially during longer races, the better you’re able to maintain your performance.”

Topp Racing’s Maxson, the current points leader in Porsche Carrera Cup North America, also welcomed the opportunity to measure his progress.

“It’s always fun to come back to Charlotte,” he said. “The fitness assessment gives us insight into the things we need to work on as we’re trying to become professionals. It’s also good to come back, get a refresher, and make sure everything is fresh in your mind.”

Following the morning fitness testing, the group traveled to Team Penske, where drivers observed NASCAR pit stops, practiced with NASCAR equipment, worked alongside members of the Porsche Penske Motorsport crew during driver-change drills, and climbed aboard the Porsche 963.

Cecchi admitted NASCAR pit stops may not be in her future, but the experience left a lasting impression.

“I didn’t think I’d be a very good NASCAR crew member, and it turns out I was right,” she said. “Getting to sit inside the 963 is such a cool experience. You dream of being in there and eventually making your way into that car. Just getting a little glimpse of it is pretty unforgettable.”

The first day concluded with a presentation on Porsche Motorsport history before the group gathered for dinner.

Wednesday focused on the technical and business side of professional motorsport.

Presentations from Mobil 1, Team Penske, Pirelli, Porsche AG, Carrera Cup commentator Ryan Myrehn, and Women in Motorsport North America’s Cindy Sisson covered technology integration, tire engineering, media training, sponsorship, and networking.

Drivers also toured Team Penske’s INDYCAR and Porsche Penske Motorsport operations and learned more about the annual Global Porsche Shootout.

Adding to the experience was a special appearance by three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano, fresh from his dominant Team Penske victory the previous weekend.

Logano shared lessons from his championship career and discussed the mindset required to compete at the highest level.

Hedge described the visit to Team Penske as one of the week’s highlights.

“Getting to come to Team Penske here in Charlotte is a special privilege,” he said. “Not many people get invited in here, so we’re really lucky to be here.

“In the classroom, we got to speak with Pirelli, talk about sponsorship and media, and hear from people who have spent decades at Team Penske. It’s interesting to hear their stories and get as much value as possible from the time you have with them.”

For Lahlouh, now in her third year in the Mobil 1 Female Driver Program, the workshop remains one of the highlights of the season.

“Porsche and Mobil 1 do such a great job bringing us incredible presenters and drivers to learn from,” she said. “I really look forward to this event every year, and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of this program.”

The annual Driver Development Workshop continues to prepare the next generation of Porsche drivers for the demands of professional motorsport through physical performance testing, technical education, and direct access to championship-winning teams and industry leaders.