Alessandro Ghiretti contests 2024 season as new Porsche Junior
Alessandro Ghiretti is the new Porsche Junior, a highly coveted position in Porsche Motorsport’s successful development programme for young drivers. The twenty-one-year-old outshone eleven other candidates during an extensive selection process in Portimão, Portugal. Ghiretti is the reigning Rookie champion of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and, in readiness for the coming season, has set his sights on an overall win in the 911 GT3 Cup, which will be hosted as support series to Formula One.
Aside from the Supercup’s Rookie championship, Ghiretti also claimed the runner-up spot in last season’s Carrera Cup France. When proving his mettle for acceptance into the Porsche Junior programme, the Frenchman called upon his skill and experience at the wheel of the 992 GT3 Cup during a shootout against other applicants on the Grand Prix circuit in Portugal’s Algarve. Additionally, the youngster from Montauban impressed Porsche Motorsport representatives in the way he collaborated with their engineers, in fitness tests and when conducting media work.
“As always, this wasn’t an easy decision for us to make. The twelve candidates were all extremely strong,” emphasises Thomas Laudenbach, Vice President of Porsche Motorsport. “Even though the assessment took place on a racetrack, the selection of a new Porsche Junior is about more than sporting talent and driving ability. We demand much more from a race driver than stepping on the gas, late braking and hitting the apex. We are always looking for the complete package. In this respect, we’re absolutely sold on Alessandro. I’m certain we’ll be seeing fantastic races from him in 2024. He has every chance to grow into an all-rounder, just like Porsche Juniors from previous years.”
Ghiretti inherited a passion for motor racing early in life. His father, Alain, contested numerous races in single-seaters and his grandfather had a penchant for historic motorsport, working as a race mechanic in his free time. The new Porsche Junior’s family gave him the backing he needed when he started racing in karts at the age of seven. His path led him to Carrera Cup France via Formula 4, Formula 3 and, among other competitions, the Le Mans Cup. At the wheel of the 911 GT3 Cup, the Frenchman underlined his talent and ability to learn. After achieving fourth place in 2021’s Carrera Cup France (his first season of participation), he finished the 2022 and 2023 seasons in third and second place respectively.
“When my phone rang and I saw Porsche was calling, I quickly took a screenshot,” he smiles. “I immediately got the feeling I had to capture this moment forever. I was in complete disbelief when Porsche Junior project manager, Jasmin Steidle-Faas, told me I’d been selected as 2024’s Porsche Junior. I asked her to repeat the sentence in case I’d misheard. It’s a dream come true. My whole family loves the Porsche brand and now I’m going to play a small part in it. The news blew me away. I was grinning from ear to ear for the rest of the day. It was a moment I certainly won’t be forgetting in a hurry.”
Ghiretti, who has lived in Marrakesh, Morocco, since he was six years old, will receive a single-season sponsorship package of up to 225,000 Euros to assist with his racing activities in 2024.
A SPONSORSHIP PACKAGE OF UP TO 225,000 EUROS TO ASSIST WITH HIS RACING ACTIVITIES IN 2024