The 18 year old Cairoli receives funding of 200,000 Euro toward his 2015 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup campaign. In addition, he receives support on his path to a professional racing career. The former Porsche works driver Sascha Maassen accompanies him to all race weekends as a driver coach. Moreover, he will mentored in the fields of fitness, media relations and psychological training. At the shootout in Valencia, Spain, Cairoli managed to beat eight other candidates from international Porsche brand trophy series.

Over two days, all candidates had a chance to demonstrate their aptitude both on and off the race track. Fast laps on the “Circuit Ricardo Tormo”, technical understanding of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and compelling interviews were just some of the skills and accomplishments expected from the aspirants. The level of driving ability of the nine drivers from eight countries was very high. But ultimately it was Matteo Cairoli, nominated by Porsche Carrera Cup Italia, who proved the most convincing.

Youngest candidate to take part in the talent search at Valencia

“After closely analysing all the data we chose Matteo Cairoli. He is extremely talented and at such a young age he has a great deal of potential. We look forward to seeing him contest the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in 2015,” says Jonas Krauss, Manager of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.

At 18 years of age, Matteo Cairoli from San Ferma della Battaglia was the youngest candidate to take part in the talent search at Valencia. “It’s like a dream to be chosen by Porsche. I felt good on the Valencia circuit and I’m really pleased I made such a good impression. When Porsche told me I’d won the selection process I couldn’t believe it. I’ve only been racing for the last two years. I’m very much looking forward to this amazing opportunity,” explained the youngster.

Cairoli switched to the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia

Cairoli came to motorsport late, and only began racing at the end of 2012. After initial tests in Formula Renault he went on to contest the ATS Formula 3 Cup in 2013. For the 2014 season, he switched to the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia where he received support in the Porsche Carrera Cup Italia Scholarship Programme as a talented junior driver and promptly won the title: “I’m still learning from one race to the next. On the tracks I taught myself many things and now I’m looking forward to everything that my team, my coach, and the many members involved in the Porsche Motorsport scholarship programme can teach me.”

Talent scout programmes enjoy a long tradition at Porsche Motorsport. Many pilots who receive funding from Porsche have managed the step up the ladder into international GT and prototype racing. The Porsche International Cup Scholarship gives drivers the chance to advance from the worldwide Porsche Carrera Cup series into the international Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and continue on to top-level motor racing, for instance as a works driver. Hence, the Supercup serves as a springboard for a career in professional motor racing.