Earl Bamber is the second exceptionally talented driver from the worldwide makes cups who, thanks to Porsche, has managed to move up the ladder to contest the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup as support to Formula 1. With this additional programme, Porsche last year extended one of the most extensive and most sustained youth development concepts in the automobile branch.

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia nominated Bamber for the shootout in Oschersleben, where he managed to beat seven other top pilots from Porsche one-make series around the world. Over two days, the successful brand trophy pilots had to set not only the fastest possible lap times on the 3.7 kilometre Motorsportarena Oschersleben race track, but also demonstrate their technical understanding and analytical skills in setting up the 460 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (991). Part of the selection process included the simulation of a qualifying session as well as an entire race.

“It’s a dream come true”

“After evaluating all the data and an extensive analysis of lap times, Earl Bamber gave the most convincing performances of all candidates. He is both quick and experienced as a pilot and his personality also impressed us,” says Jonas Krauss, Manager of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Earl Bamber is looking forward to taking on the new challenge: “It’s a dream come true. In the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, which is contested alongside Formula 1, I’ll be up against some of the world’s best GT drivers. It’ll definitely be a great experience to pit myself against them, especially on storied circuits like Silverstone, Monaco and Spa.”

Earl Bamber began carving out his racing career at the wheel of a kart. At the young age of eight he won his first national title in New Zealand. As a 15 year old he switched to the New Zealand Formula Ford Championship, before heading off to Asia two years later. Success quickly followed: He promptly won the Asian Formula BMW title. In 2008 he notched up two vice-championship trophies – in the Formula Renault V6 Asia and the Toyota Racing Series New Zealand. In 2009 Bamber contested several rounds of the international A1 GP Formula Series for the New Zealand national team and finished on the podium three times. He also climbed the podium in the GP2 Asia – at the tender age of 19. He made his debut in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia in 2013 and convincingly won the championship after scoring a total of seven victories.

The big goal: Porsche works driver

This year marks the second time that the International Porsche Motorsport Cup Scholarship is awarded. Already at a club sport level, talented youngsters have the chance to impress and advance into the GT3 Cup Challenges or the Porsche Carrera Cups contested around the globe, where they learn everything they need for a career as a racing professional. By way of the next stage – Porsche’s flagship series, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup - a number of pilots have succeeded in switching to international GT and prototype racing series. Several of them represent Porsche worldwide as works drivers in the most important sports car series.