Callum Hedge competing to become next Porsche Motorsport Junior

The door to a professional racing career will swing open for one Porsche Junior. Twelve talented up-and-coming racing drivers took part in a three-day selection process at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal, with our very own Callum Hedge part of the group.

His goal: to become the 30th Junior in the 26-year history of this development initiative for young drivers. Historically, the programme has produced world champions, DTM champions and Le Mans overall winners, including New Zealand’s Earl Bamber.

The twelve invited Porsche Junior candidates all have one thing in common: they were no older than 24 at the time of the selection process. In 2023, these talented youngsters turned heads at the wheel of the 375 kW (510 PS) 911 GT3 Cup, contesting one of the sports car manufacturers’ more than 30 one-make cup series. On the 4.653-kilometre Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, they pitted themselves against their rivals in ideal conditions.

“Fast lap times and flawless performances with the 911 GT3 Cup on the track certainly play an important role. At the same time, however, we also look at how the candidates behave beyond that: How they work alongside the engineers, what feedback they give on the car, and whether they are capable of learning and can motivate a team.” Says Sascha Maassen, a former Porsche works driver who supports the junior drivers as a mentor.

In addition to sponsorship of up to 225,000 euros, the winner receives extensive support from Porsche Motorsport. This support programme covers all relevant aspects of a professional career and has helped numerous Porsche juniors achieve works driver status in the past. Like their predecessors, the new junior faces a busy season. In 2024, this will include the eight races in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup as part of European Formula 1 races and, ideally, participation in one of the regional Porsche Carrera Cups. Moreover, they take part in mental training sessions, media seminars, PR appointments and other marketing activities.

Porsche’s junior programme dates back to the 1997 season. Since then, the successful sponsorship programme has boosted the careers of 29 racing drivers. Today’s Porsche brand ambassador Timo Bernhard (Porsche Junior from 2000 to 2001), Marc Lieb (2000 to 2002) and Earl Bamber (2014) are prime examples of the programme’s success: All three have won the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans at least once at the helm of the Porsche 919 Hybrid, as well as titles in the FIA World Endurance Championship.