For the second time in as many seasons, Porsche will defend a top-level sportscar programme with a new line-up, as IMSA champion Mathieu Jaminet has left in the first big driver move since the team announced its World Endurance Championship withdrawal.
Porsche officially confirming it would not continue its factory involvement in the World Endurance Championship immediately sparked a wave of questions, particularly about the future of the drivers currently racing for Porsche Penske Motorsport.
Jaminet - with Porsche almost 10 years now - has become the first to confirm his departure, seeking what he described as “new challenges” - and he's set to join a manufacturer making its debut at the top-level of sportscar racing. More on that shortly.
But why is the Frenchman leaving, and what lies ahead for the rest of Porsche Penske Motorsport’s drivers? Here’s what we know so far.
How many drivers does Porsche need?
Including Laurin Heinrich, who will contest the upcoming Bahrain 8 Hours on November 8, a total of 11 drivers will have represented Porsche Penske Motorsport this year.
In addition to the eight full season drivers - Julien Andlauer, Matt Campbell (above, right), Michael Christensen, Kevin Estre, Jaminet (above, left), Felipe Nasr, Nick Tandy and Laurens Vanthoor - Pascal Wehrlein, Nico Mueller and Heinrich have also been called up.
As always, it was at the Le Mans 24 Hours where PPM required the largest roster, fielding nine drivers plus a reserve. But next year, things will look very different. With the WEC programme ending after Bahrain, the Porsche Penske operation will be reduced to its two IMSA entries.
In IMSA, each car relies on two full-season drivers, with a third (and sometimes fourth at Daytona) joining for the rounds that make up the Endurance Cup: Daytona, Sebring, Petit Le Mans, Watkins Glen, and Road America.
In 2025, PPM only brought in an additional driver for the three longest races (Daytona, Sebring, Petit Le Mans). That means the team will likely need just six drivers in total for 2026, prompting a necessary trim to its current roster.
Mathieu Jaminet, a pure Porsche product
Just twenty days after sealing the IMSA title, Jaminet became the first driver to confirm his departure.
The 31-year-old Frenchman’s resume within the Porsche pyramid is remarkable: Porsche Carrera Cup France champion (2016), Porsche Supercup Rookie Champion (2016), ADAC GT Masters champion (2018), IMSA GTD Pro title-winner (2022), and finally, the IMSA overall champion in 2025 at the wheel of the Porsche Penske 963.
“It’s been one of the hardest decisions of my life,” he said.
“But there are moments that offer new opportunities and present new challenges, and that moment has come for me. I’ll never forget what this brand did for me 10 years ago: taking a kid with no backing, no money, just a dream, and giving me a chance."
He added: “The Porsche brand will always remain in my heart, as will the countless people I’ve worked with in Weissach and in the race teams.”
Over a decade, Jaminet has built one of the most complete records of any Porsche driver, and it’s no surprise that he’s now among the most sought-after names in the paddock. His departure from Porsche clearly signals the end of an era.
All signs point to Genesis Magma Racing (Hyundai) as his next destination. He is expected to step into the seat initially intended for Stoffel Vandoorne. If confirmed, Jaminet would join Andre Lotterer, another ex-Porsche driver, Pipo Derani, Paul-Loup Chatin, Daniel Juncadella, and Mathys Jaubert.
What about the rest of Porsche’s drivers?
With Michael Christensen having been sidelined after the Lone Star Le Mans round in Austin, it’s safe to say his long-term future at PPM is uncertain. But what about the rest of the squad? Much depends on individual contracts and, of course, age.
At 40 years old, and as the team’s most decorated driver, Nick Tandy doesn’t represent Porsche’s future.
He’s expected to move on, though given his historic achievement this year of becoming the first driver to win all four of the world’s major 24-hour races (Le Mans, Spa, Nurburgring, and Daytona), there’s every chance another manufacturer will seize the opportunity to sign him.
That leaves Julien Andlauer, Kevin Estre, Felipe Nasr, Laurens Vanthoor, and Matt Campbell, five drivers likely to remain under the Porsche Penske Motorsport umbrella in IMSA, alongside potential GT commitments elsewhere in Porsche’s customer racing programmes.
For the endurance rounds at Daytona, Sebring, and Petit Le Mans, PPM should fill its sixth seat either from the Porsche roster pool or the Penske one, much like it did with two-time IndyCar champion Josef Newgarden, who won the 2024 Daytona 24 Hours for the team.
