Press release, November 24, 2021
The 20-year-old French driver will follow in the footsteps of predecessor Alessandro Ghiretti in the prestigious Porsche Carrera Cup France Junior Program.
For seven years now, this announcement has been the long-awaited end-of-season moment for aspiring talent, two days organized by Porsche France for the Porsche Carrera Cup France Junior Program. Aiming to spotlight and support tomorrow’s drivers at the highest level, the program has certainly proven itself over the years, and 2021 winner Alessandro Ghiretti has demonstrated its merit perfectly. Fourth overall in the 2021 Porsche Carrera Cup France, with no less than six podiums, Ghiretti has set the bar extremely high, but his successor Mathieu Martins is looking to take up the torch with gusto.
Martins stood out in a pre-selection of eight young talents during two vigorous days of tests (14-16 November at the Paul Ricard circuit in Le Castellet) overseen by the Porsche Carrera Cup France team and Porsche Motorsport driver Patrick Pilet. Martins was joined by Maxence Sevin, Kajus Siksnelis, Arthur Rasse, Margaux Verza, Andy Noah, Mathieu Fretin and Lilou Wadoux-Ducellier from Porsche and other constructor one-make series, F4 and karting. Martins distinguished himself through his driving skills, maturity, capacity for progress, as well as his ability to adapt and listen.
These are all qualities that the runner-up in the JS2R class of the Ligier European Series will undoubtedly need to continue to rise in the very demanding arena of the 2022 Porsche Carrera Cup France. To do so, he can count on personalized support from Patrick Pilet, a grant of € 40,000 before tax, an endowment of Michelin tires and financial assistance from a partner Porsche Center. Martins should therefore feel more at ease as he makes his debut at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup type 992.
2022 Junior Porsche Carrera Cup France winner Mathieu Martins What is happening to me is unbelievable and I don’t have the words to describe how I feel. I have dreamed of joining the Porsche family since I was little, so this is a bit like an early Christmas! I would like to thank everyone on staff at Porsche who were so kind to welcome me, advise and boost me up during the two selection days. I learned a great deal, as much about driving as about the physical aspects and also relative to the media. I would like to acknowledge everyone who has been with me in this adventure over the last five years because without them none of this would be possible. I can’t wait to get back in the 911 GT3 Cup type 992 for a race, I had such a wonderful time driving it.