Hartog’s Path Up Porsche Pyramid ‘Not Straightforward’

Photo: Drew Gibson/Porsche

Loek Hartog said his path up the ‘Porsche Pyramid’ has ‘not been very straightforward’ as the Dutchman seeks a step into pro-level competition for 2026.

The Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver embarked on one of the most diverse GT3 programs of any driver this year, competing with no fewer than ten customer teams in more than 30 races around the world.

The 23-year-old, who won the Porsche Carrera Cup North America championship last year, was invited to Porsche’s Junior Shootout for the third consecutive season, although was not selected by the German manufacturer to represent the brand as a Junior driver for 2025.

It resulted in Hartog taking nearly every opportunity thrown at him this year, from Pirelli GT4 America competition in a Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, to competing in three 24-hour races on consecutive weekends for three different teams.

“I think my path in general has been a little bit contrary to other drivers,” he told Sportscar365. “For me, it hasn’t been that straightforward as I maybe would have hoped in my younger years.

“Of course you grow up and watch all these factory talents getting all the opportunities at an early age.

“For myself, it hasn’t come that easy. It’s been a little bit of a different take on it as well throughout the years.

“I grew up in the ‘Porsche Pyramid’ but unfortunately never won the Junior scholarship but it was always my big ambition.

“Basically going to the shootout for the third time in 2024 after winning Carrera Cup North America, already exploiting different markets, I was really trying this year to do as much as I could.”

One of the motivations behind his diverse schedule this year, which has ranged from GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS Sprint and Endurance Cups to Michelin 24H Series, NLS and GT4 America competition, was to aim to win the Porsche Cup, awarded annually to the most successful amateur driver in Porsche machinery.

While often having been won by gentlemen drivers, fellow Silver-rated pilot Joel Sturm, who won the FIA World Endurance Championship LMGT3 title with Manthey in 2024, came out on top in the Cup last year.

“This has been the main purpose of this year, to win the Porsche Cup,” said Hartog. “It’s not very often that somebody who is trying to be a professional at my age is able to be in contention for winning something like this.

“I’m just in general very happy that I’m able to contribute as a semi-professional to many GT3 programs.

“I’m very thankful, of course, to all the people that gave me these opportunities and it’s been a lot of shootouts and a lot of hustle and maybe not very straightforward and hard to follow.

“I hope it gave a lot of first impressions of what I’m capable of when I get the opportunities.”

Among Hartog’s highlights this year included an overall podium finish in the N24, in a Pirelli-backed Porsche 911 GT3 R run by Dinamic GT, Bronze class wins in two GTWC Europe rounds, as well as top class honors in the recent Suzuka 1000km.

“This year was a bit surprising with Nürburgring [24],” he said.

“That’s been one of these opportunities but maybe it wasn’t the fastest car with the tire we were developing. We have different design purposes and different reasons why we do that program.”

While having already mathematically clinched this year’s Porsche Cup, Hartog said he’s “ready for some more” next year, although will face his next challenge in provisionally being upgraded to Gold rating by the FIA.

While taking numerous class wins this year, Hartog hasn’t yet had the chance to be in an all-pro GT3 environment outside of the N24 effort.

“I haven’t had the opportunity to win something major,” he said. “Nürburgring was purely on the merit of not having tire failures. That’s thanks to Pirelli but we were missing some pace there still.

“I’m aware I did some good showings this season but there’s also other drivers that have had that opportunity in the past.

“It’s not that straightforward or cut-out to now be moved to Gold without having a factory contract somewhere. It’s difficult times and I hope to be in this game for a long time.

“It’s hard if you want to make a career without having financials. This is also why my path has been so diverging, I would say, in the past, just jumping from opportunity to opportunity.

“Where there’s a will there’s a way. I’m already very happy with what I’ve achieved and with everyone I’ve been able to work with.”

Hartog will be seeking his second consecutive IGTC class win in Saturday’s Indianapolis 8 Hour presented by AWS, aboard the No. 10 Wright Motorsports Porsche with Antares Au and Patric Niederhauser, in the same lineup that took Pro-Am class honors in the race last year.

With future promotions within Porsche unclear, amid a likely surplus of Hypercar/GTP drivers following the manufacturer’s withdrawal from factory WEC Hypercar competition, Hartog said he’s still hopeful of making a professional career in the sport, even if it may not be with the German manufacturer.

“We all know the situation with Porsche,” he said. “It’s also something I can’t bet on. But I’m in a position where I’d like to have the opportunity to be taken serious for a professional season.”

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