Porsche’s Jaminet, Campbell Would Prefer IMSA GTP Drives

Photo: Pfaff Motorsports

Newly signed Porsche Penske Motorsport drivers Mathieu Jaminet and Matt Campbell have expressed their desire to remain in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship full-time, ideally again as co-drivers, as part of the German manufacturer’s factory GTP class effort.

Confirmed last week, the 27-year-olds will be part of the factory roster in Porsche 963s although specific series and driver lineups have yet to be determined.

Porsche will have a total of four factory LMDh cars — two each in the WeatherTech Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship beginning next year — with the majority of the drivers already being announced. 

Jaminet and Campbell currently lead the IMSA GTD Pro standings following class victories in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in the customer Pfaff Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R.

They have also been regular co-drivers in other GT3-based races and championships around the world, including the Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli and races such as the Nürburgring 24.

“From our point of view, we’d love to stick together,” said Campbell. “That’s for sure. Our relationship has been working really well in the last couple of years.

“We know how each other work; we get along well and we want the same things all the time, so I think that’s really beneficial as teammates.

“We both really enjoy IMSA as well. In saying that, anything can happen and nothing’s been announced. For us we still don’t know; it’s yet to be finalized.

“We would love for the opportunity to be together and in IMSA. Let’s see what happens.”

With no WEC experience outside of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Jaminet agreed with Campbell in that contesting a full WeatherTech Championship campaign in GTP would make the most sense.

“I’d like to be back in the U.S.,” said Jaminet. “Obviously wherever I drive, I’d be happy, that’s for sure.

“WEC also has Le Mans. As a French driver, that’s definitely on top of the list of the races you want to compete and win. 

“Both series would be nice. I have a little preference on IMSA. And if we could continue together. We have a great relationship that seems to work well so far pretty much everywhere we race.

“I hope maybe it can continue next year.”

The two drivers, who are the youngest in Porsche’s so-far announced LMDh lineup, have worked through the manufacturer’s ladder system from regional Carrera Cup to GT3 and GTE competition.

Jaminet and Campbell largely split driving duties in WeatherTech Racing’s Porsche 911 RSR-19 last year, scoring multiple wins in GTLM, before teaming up as co-drivers full-time with Pfaff for this year’s GTD Pro campaign. 

“Even from the past couple of years, we’ve both gained a lot of experience in IMSA and how the championship works and everything like that and track knowledge,” Campbell said.

“We’ve now, more or less, been to all of the tracks as well, which is very beneficial obviously if we were to come in such a car, you’d want to be comfortable around the circuit and have a little bit of knowledge.

“That would help a lot. This year for sure it’s our first full year in the series and we’re both going for a championship with Pfaff. After today, it’s back to business as usual. 

“For sure we’ve got to enjoy the announcement and everything. But for sure [racing in the U.S.] is very beneficial for us.”

Jaminet, Campbell Tested Penske LMP2 Car Prior to LMDh Signing

It has been revealed that both drivers turned their first laps in a LMP2 car during Team Penske’s test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last October, as the team was ramping up for its partial-season WEC program this year.

The identities of the drivers at the test, which ran into the darkness, had not been confirmed until now.

“That was our first taste of a prototype,” said Campbell. “It wasn’t a test or shootout or anything like that.

“It was more-or-less a good opportunity to get an initial taste of a prototype. That was really good experience to be able to see what one’s actually like before we jumped into the LMDh.”

Jaminet said the Porsche 963 “feels like a mix” between the LMP2 car and Porsche’s 911 RSR-19.

“It’s definitely different than what we know from GT,” he said. “Even if we have very little LMP2 experience, it’s also way different than the LMP2 car. 

“From the first impression, it didn’t feel like a complete new experience. For sure it’s different; it’s faster, it’s got some power and downforce.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John