Twelve promising young racing drivers from ten countries are competing for a place in the prestigious 2027 Porsche Junior Programme, with the successful candidate receiving financial backing and specialist support from Porsche Motorsport.
The winner will compete in the 2027 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, which supports eight European Formula 1 Grand Prix events. For the first time, Porsche is also introducing a separate route into real-world racing for five talented competitors from the Porsche Esports Supercup.
WHAT IS THE PORSCHE JUNIOR PROGRAMME?
Established in 1997, the Porsche Junior Programme identifies and develops young drivers with the potential to progress into international motorsport. Alongside financial support, the successful candidate receives coaching in driving technique, fitness, mental preparation, nutrition and media relations.
HOW WILL THE 2027 JUNIOR BE SELECTED?
The four-day selection process takes place in Germany and Portugal. Candidates first attend interviews, simulator sessions and assessments at the Porsche Esports Performance Centre in Cologne before demonstrating their driving skills at Portimão’s Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.
They will drive the latest 992.2-generation Porsche 911 Cup, a 520 PS racing car already competing in selected Carrera Cups and the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
CAN SIM RACERS BECOME REAL-WORLD PORSCHE DRIVERS?
For the first time, Porsche is staging a dedicated Esports Talent Shoot-Out. Five competitors selected from the 32 Porsche Esports Supercup finalists will be assessed in Cologne, with the strongest progressing to an on-track evaluation at Portimão.
Driving a Porsche 911 Challenge, they will compete for support to race in a national Porsche one-make championship, creating a new pathway from virtual motorsport into professional competition.
WHO ARE THE 12 PORSCHE JUNIOR CANDIDATES?
The international line-up includes Britain’s 20-year-old Callum Voisin, winner of the 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain, and Brazil’s Antonella Bassani, the only female contender in this year’s selection.
Poland’s Milan Marczak, aged 18, is the youngest participant, while French driver Macéo Capietto already has two appearances at the 24 Hours of Le Mans to his name.
THE 2027 PORSCHE JUNIOR CONTENDERS
| Driver | Country | Age |
|---|---|---|
| Antonella Bassani | Brazil | 20 |
| Macéo Capietto | France | 20 |
| Pietro Delli Guanti | Italy | 22 |
| Matheus Ferreira | Brazil | 19 |
| Marco Giltrap | New Zealand | 22 |
| Milan Marczak | Poland | 18 |
| Tyler Maxson | USA | 22 |
| Clay Osborne | New Zealand | 21 |
| William Siverholm | Sweden | 21 |
| Caleb Sumich | Australia | 20 |
| Callum Voisin | Great Britain | 20 |
| Taichi Watarai | Japan | 22 |
A PROVEN ROUTE TO MOTORSPORT SUCCESS
Since 1997, Porsche has supported 34 drivers through its Junior Programme. Former participants Timo Bernhard, Marc Lieb and Earl Bamber subsequently won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and became FIA World Endurance Champions.
More recent graduates include DTM champions Thomas Preining and Ayhancan Güven, Daytona and Sebring winner Laurin Heinrich, and 2026 Spa 24 Hours winner Sebastian Buus.
MOTORING ECHO VERDICT
Porsche’s Junior Programme has an established record of developing talented young drivers into international racing winners. Its new sim-racing selection route is a particularly interesting development, opening another potential pathway into professional motorsport.
For Britain’s Callum Voisin and the other 11 contenders, the prize is significant: a supported season on the Formula 1 stage and an opportunity to establish a long-term career with Porsche Motorsport.
Source: Porsche Motorsport.
