Porsche announces new young-driver funding initiative in Brazil

Porsche has announced a major initiative for those wishing to take a step towards being a professional race car driver in its GT3 Cup Brazil series.

Called “Junior Program”, this project is aimed at new drivers entering the Carrera Cup in Brazil. Drivers aged 16 to 24 may be registered in the selection process, which will happen in February.

There will be several stages, leading to the top three drivers receiving a benefits package to compete the 2018 season. The best performer will receive a 70 percent allowance for the costs of the Sprint Championship in 2018. The second best will have a 40 percent, and the third 30 percent.

The first phase starts now – candidates must sign on juniorprogram.com.br. The drivers will have their resume reviewed by specialist, strictly following the criteria of Porsche's global talent development program since its launch in 1997.

After this part, 12 competitors will be selected for a period of activities commanded by the series. Their names will be announced in the first half of February, with final testing scheduled for 19-22 later that the same month. The track activities will be at a circuit approved by FIA, and to be announced during the selection process.

It will be four intense days, with monitoring on physical and psychological training and dealing with the media as well as the track activities. Drivers will work with mechanics to set-up the car and the development of technical knowledge in feedback and analysis of data with the engineering staff.

After evaluations, three drivers will be selected and will receive subsidies to compete in the six races of the sprint season, scheduled to start on March 24 in Curitiba and finish at the Formula 1 Brazilian GP weekend at Interlagos in November.