Tyler Maxson one of 12 talented drivers from 10 countries aiming for Porsche Junior 2027 status

Carson, Calif. Maxson was selected on the heels of his nine-win championship season in 2026 for TOPP Racing, his second season of Carrera Cup competition. The 22-year-old battled for Rookie of the Year honors in 2025 before taking a leap forward to win the overall title this season with the Type 992.2 Porsche 911 Cup.

For the second year in a row, the Porsche Junior selection process takes place at two locations in two separate countries. For interviews, tests, simulator sessions and various assessments, candidates will visit the Porsche Esports Performance Center (PEPC) in Cologne, Germany. The home of the Porsche Coanda Esports Racing Team offers the ideal conditions for this part of the process. Participants will then demonstrate their driving skills on the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão, Portugal. The competition car will be the Type 992.2-generation Porsche 911 Cup. The 512 hp (382 kW) racing car was already in use in 2026 in four markets during the 2026 racing season, including Porsche Carrera Cup North America and Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.

To win in this arena is a significant career step for any young racer. The new Porsche Junior is expected to compete in Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in 2027. As the pinnacle of the sports car manufacturer’s one-make cup ecosystem, the international series takes place as part of eight European Formula One Grand Prix events. Added to this is comprehensive support from Porsche Motorsport: the development package includes coaching in driving dynamics, mental strength, nutrition, fitness and media relations.

Preparation gives Maxson his opportunity

Maxson has been working hard to prepare for the event, just as he did on the way to his championship. The Georgia native has never driven at Portimão, and the Shoot-Out will also put him on unfamiliar tires – Michelin instead of the Pirelli tires raced in North America. To reduce those unknowns, he recently completed a test on Michelin rubber and has spent the days leading into the event building circuit knowledge in the simulator.

As a competitor in one of four series globally that used the new 911 Cup in 2026, Maxson is familiar with the model he will drive, removing one variable from his path to potential selection.

Maxson's preparation has also drawn on the experience around him. As a Porsche Motorsport North America Junior, he has gained mentorship throughout the season from former Porsche factory driver Richard Westbrook. Westbrook joined him for a simulator session focused on Portimão in the build-up to the Shoot-Out.

Tyler Maxson

New: the Porsche Esports Supercup Talent Shoot-Out

From the digital world to a real-life racing driver: Porsche Esports Supercup has been following a new development program this season. Five of the 32 finalists in the global sim-racing one-make cup qualified through a multi-stage selection process. This separate talent scouting program utilizes the infrastructure of the Porsche Junior shoot-out system and gets underway in Cologne. The best candidates will travel alongside the Junior candidates to the 2.891-mile-long Algarve International Circuit. There, they must prove themselves at the wheel of a Porsche 911 Challenge. The winner can look forward to support for a real-life racing season: they will compete in one of the national Porsche one-make series.

Twelve Porsche Junior candidates from ten countries across five continents

The Porsche Junior shoot-out field welcomes an international field of participants aged 18 to 22 years old, all nominated by a national Carrera Cup program in 2026. In addition to Maxson, 11 candidates from around the world will compete.

This year, the line-up also includes a young female racing driver, Antonella Bassani from Brazil. A previous champion in her home country’s Porsche Sprint Challenge in 2023 the 20-year-old finished fifth in Porsche Carrera Cup Brazil this season.

Bassani will be up against a fellow Brazilian in Cologne and Portimão: Matheus Ferreira finished his debut season in Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup as the fourth-best rookie. The 19-year-old was selected by the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, where Ferreira finished fifth in the championship in the 2026 season.

The youngest contender is Milan Marczak from Poland. The 18-year-old has made a name for himself by winning the title in Porsche Carrera Cup Benelux. At almost 23, Pietro Delli Guanti is the oldest participant in the trials from Carrera Cup Italia.

Macéo Capietto comes into the competition from Carrera Cup France. The 20-year-old Frenchman impressed in that one-make cup by finishing third overall. Capietto also already has two LMP2 starts at the 24 Hours of Le Mans to his name. Callum Voisin, who is the same age, is travelling from the UK. He also holds a Swiss passport and has won Porsche Carrera Cup Great Britain. William Siverholm, champion of Carrera Cup Scandinavia, is also part of the line-up. The 21-year-old Swede has an advantage, previously having participated in the Junior selection event in 2025.

The Oceania region is fielding a strong contingent this year. The 22-year-old New Zealander Marco Giltrap claimed victory in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. His compatriot Clay Osborne finished as runner-up in Porsche Carrera Cup Australia. Caleb Sumich hails from Australia. The 20-year-old also gained experience this season in Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland. However, Sumich qualified for the Junior Selection by finishing second in Carrera Cup Middle East.

Taichi Watarai is representing Japan. The 22-year-old triumphed in his home country’s Carrera Cup, as well as in Carrera Cup Middle East.

From Porsche Juniors to world champions, Le Mans winners and DTM titles

The history of the Junior Program dates back to the 1997 season. Since then, the program has supported the careers of 34 racing drivers. Notable figures include current Porsche Brand Ambassador Timo Bernhard (Porsche Junior from 2000 to 2001), Marc Lieb (2000 to 2002) and Earl Bamber (2014): all three went on to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans and were crowned FIA World Endurance Champions. Thomas Preining (2017 to 2018) clinched his second DTM title in 2026. The Austrian thus succeeded Ayhancan Güven (2020 to 2021) from Turkey as champion. Both drove a 911 GT3 R for the Porsche customer team Manthey. Laurin Heinrich (2022) claimed the GTD Pro title in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship in 2024. Driving the 963 hybrid prototype, the German triumphed at the IMSA endurance classics in Daytona and Sebring in 2026. He shared the driving duties with Frenchman Julien Andlauer (Porsche Junior from 2018 to 2019) and Felipe Nasr. Bastian Buus (2023) won this year’s 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps alongside Thomas Preining and Ricardo Feller. Together with his DTM-mate Feller, the Dane was also crowned Sprint Cup champion in the GT World Challenge Europe.