Emotionally Porsche
and it’s also part of our identity.”
Mr. Blume, 2024 was an exciting year for Porsche in motorsport—with major victories as well as narrow defeats. What was the season like for you?
I felt like a co-driver. I got lost in the excitement. The season was a rollercoaster of emotions and I spent much of it on the edge of my seat. Our teams achieved some impressive successes. We’re proud of our world champion drivers in Formula E and the FIA World Endurance Championship. We secured the manufacturers’, teams’, and drivers’ titles in convincing fashion in the IMSA SportsCar Championship in the US. Le Mans, on the other hand, was a good example of how close it can be in top-flight motorsport. Our works Porsche 963 was ultimately just 1.2 seconds short of a place on the overall podium—and that’s after 24 hours of racing. It doesn’t get any more exciting than that. But what was most important to me was that we learned from every lap and continued to develop.
Is that the primary purpose of motorsport at Porsche?
It certainly is. Motorsport drives innovation and is our most demanding test environment. Many technical developments like the turbocharger, the hybrid drive system, and the Porsche dual clutch transmission (PDK) originated from the racetrack. We even designed and developed the 800-volt system originally for motorsport. Today, it delivers Porsche performance in the Macan and Taycan–with remarkably high charging capacities. And as well as the technical aspects, the emotion of racing is also very important to us. We love competition, and it’s also part of our identity.
It also excites millions of fans worldwide. Where does this passion for Porsche come from?
Porsche represents values, dreams and a passion that brings people together across generations and continents. Whether it’s on the racetrack or at one of the many Porsche events around the globe, this real love for the brand is the force that unites the Porsche community. The solidarity and cohesion create a unique atmosphere. This feeling of being part of a global community makes Porsche something truly extraordinary.
How does Porsche actively promote that?
It’s about the shared experience, especially when it comes to younger target groups. It’s these special Porsche moments that leave a lasting impression and that people enjoy sharing, which is why we create experiences at every touchpoint with our brand. Whether it’s the first contact at one of our new Porsche Studios or during intensive driver training.
Porsche Experience Centers (PECs) play a key role. The concept goes quite a long way back, doesn’t it?
Yes, the first driver training courses were offered in the 1950s. The Porsche motorsport school was founded in 1974 and was linked to the first 911 Turbo. You had to learn how to master it—turbo lag being a key topic there. Of course, things have changed a lot since then, and turbo lag is no longer a factor, thanks to the electric turbocharger of the new 911 Carrera GTS with its performance hybrid system. But the idea behind the PECs remains the same. To understand what a Porsche is really capable of, you have to push it to its limits.
What does the future of PECs look like?
In 2025, the 10th such experience center will open its doors in Toronto. The 11th is being built in Singapore. Every PEC is unique. Some are located at legendary racetracks, while others feature reproductions of famous corners or off-road tracks. What they all have in common is that the experience extends far beyond just driving. Everyone’s welcome here, young or old. And you don’t need to own a Porsche either. This openness is an integral part of the global Porsche community’s identity and it shapes our brand.
