Eleven young drivers took part in a three-day test at the Circuit Paul Ricard earlier this month as they bid to become part of the Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme for 2019.

The prize that is up for grabs includes 225,000 Euros towards a season in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, running alongside the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. Along with the main prize the winner will receive comprehensive training to progress their career including coaching on track, psychological training and media relations as well as an extensive fitness regime.

Contenders for the 2019 Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme

Larry ten Voorde has impressed on track this season in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, concluding his first full season in second place of the rookie class. In addition to this ten Voorde took third place in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland.

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia frontrunner Philip Hamprecht is currently second in the championship and has had selected appearances in the Supercup this season.

Japanese Carrera Cup nominee Yoshiaki Katayama finished his season in sixth place.

Bruno Baptista made the journey from Brazil to take part in the French test session. The Brazilian is in his second season of GT Racing and in fifth place with two races remaining on the Porsche Carrera Cup Brazil schedule.

Ayhancan Güven has two Porsche titles under his belt already, winner of the Porsche Carrera Cup France and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Benelux, the Turkish driver has put in some impressive performances this season.

Jaxon Evans was another driver to make a long journey to take part in the three-day test; the New Zealander won the Porsche Michelin Junior Programme Australia and secured first place in the Porsche Carrera Cup Australia.

Dylan O’Keeffe also mad the journey halfway around the world as he came from Australia where he took third place in the national comepetition.

Porsche Carrera Cup Italia championship winner Gianmarco Quaresmini also gained Supercup experience this year, with the 22-year-old mixing with championship regulars.

Trenton Estep is the youngest driver to be taking part in the 2018 competition, at the age of 18 he claimed the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA this year.

Lukas Sundahl claimed the Porsche Carrera Cup Scandinavia title this year in just his second year of GT racing.

Porsche Carrera Cup GB race winner Lewis Plato flew the flag for the UK after finishing the championship in fourth place.

Jennifer Biela-Moll, project manager of the Porsche Motorsport Junior Programme was impressed with the level of talent on show at the shootout, “We’ve seen from the shootout that there are some very talented youngsters in our worldwide Porsche one-make cups.

“At Le Castellet we simulated a complete race weekend. Moreover, all drivers underwent medical examinations and had to prove themselves in interview situations in front of the camera. Now we’ll analyse all the data to see who has the greatest potential,”

Former scholars include a number of current works drivers including Earl Bamber, Timo Bernhard, Michael Cristensen, Patrick Long, Sven Müller while Matt Campbell, Matteo Cairoli, Mathieu Jaminet and Dennis Olsen are all Porsche Young Drivers.