Porsche Junior Shootout Complete in Selection Process

Twelve drivers took part in a four-day selection process in Cologne and at Estoril in Portugal to determine the 2026 Porsche Junior, which will be revealed next weekend in Porsche’s ‘Night of Champions.’

Each nominated from their respective Porsche Carrera Cup series, the drivers, aged between 18-23, took part in testing at Estoril, covering a combined 750 laps across four identically prepared Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars.

Led by Porsche Junior coach Sascha Maassen, the junior contenders simulated the schedule of a Carrera Cup weekend with practice sessions, a qualifying and a race distance. All participants took to the circuit with identical equipment and under largely similar conditions.

“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,” said Maassen.

“We take this responsibility very seriously and, for example, compensate for weight advantages and disadvantages as far as possible.

“Fast lap times and the most error-free performance possible with the 911 GT3 Cup on the track naturally play an important role. But for us, it’s also important how the participants work with the engineers, what feedback they give on the vehicle, how capable they are of learning and how much they can motivate a team.”

The candidates previously participated in the selection process at the Porsche Esport Performance Centre in Cologne, the headquarters of the Porsche Coanda Esports Racing factory team.

There, they underwent medical checks to assess their physical fitness, reaction speed and ability to concentrate. Through comprehensive interviews, some of which took place in front of a TV camera, the judges also gained an impression of the participants’ basic character traits.

Extensive sim racing sessions rounded off the day – preparation in the simulator has long been a mandatory task for professional racing drivers.

A panel of experts from Porsche Motorsport will now decide on the allocation of the extensive support package for the 2026 season.

Porsche plans to announce its new Junior on Nov. 29, which will award €225,000 ($260,000 USD) for participating in next year’s Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.

At the same time, the new junior driver will also compete in one of the 12 Carrera Cups around the world.

“With the Junior Programm, Porsche has been promoting rising racing talents on their way to becoming professionals since 1997,” said Jasmin Steidle-Faas of Porsche Junior Program organization.

“In 2026, our junior driver will once again compete in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, the spearhead of our 35 one-make cup series worldwide.

“At the same time, he will receive individual support tailored to his needs. Together, we want to discover and exploit his potential for improvement – at the end of the day, the Porsche junior should be able to make the best possible use of his talent.”

Porsche Junior Candidates:
Marcus Amand (Finland, 19 years old) – France
Matheus de Barros Comparatto (Brazil, 18 years old) – Brazil
Paul Cauhaupé (France, 20 years old) – Wild Card (France)
Bayley Hall (Australia, 22 years old) – Australia
Sam Jongejan (Netherlands, 20 years old) – Benelux
William Martin (Great Britain, 22 years old) – Great Britain
Flynt Schuring (Netherlands, 19 years old) – Germany
William Siverholm (Sweden, 20 years old) – Scandinavia
Janne Stiak (Germany, 18 years old) – Middle East
Alexander Tauscher (Germany, 23 years old) – Italy
Enzo Trulli (Italy, 20 years old) – Asia
Zachary Vanier (Canada, 23 years old) – North America