Porsche Malaysia has confirmed its participation in the 2026 season of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, with Malaysian driver Naquib Azlan set to compete in the PRO category under Team Porsche Malaysia.
Represented by Sime Darby Auto Performance, the programme sees Naquib contest the full championship season in collaboration with Earl Bamber Motorsport and Axle Motorsports. The initiative reflects Porsche Malaysia’s ongoing effort to build a structured pathway for local talent — bridging the gap between sim racing and international motorsport competition.
According to Christopher Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Sime Darby Auto Performance, motorsport remains central to Porsche’s identity, shaped by more than 75 years of racing heritage. Through initiatives such as the Carrera Cup programme and esports competitions, Porsche Malaysia aims to provide aspiring drivers with platforms to develop their skills and compete at a higher level.
From Sim Racing to the Grid
At 26 years old, Naquib Azlan’s journey into motorsport began in 2020 through competitive sim racing, where he honed his racecraft and technical understanding before transitioning to real-world competition.
His breakthrough came in 2025 when he won the Driven Dreamers category in the inaugural Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia. The victory earned him a place in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Talent Pool, a programme designed to identify promising racers and prepare them for professional competition through coaching, training camps and structured performance development.
What began in the virtual world has now evolved into a full-season campaign in one of Asia’s most competitive one-make racing championships. In the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, all drivers compete in identical race cars, placing the emphasis squarely on driver skill and race strategy.
Naquib described the opportunity to race for Porsche Malaysia as a major milestone in his career, noting that sim racing served as his introduction to motorsport and ultimately opened the door to professional racing. With the backing of Porsche Malaysia and support from Axle Motorsports, he now prepares to represent both Malaysia and the Porsche brand on the international stage.
Strong Start in Pre-Season Testing
Ahead of the new season, Naquib participated in the championship’s Official Test Days at the Zhuhai International Circuit from 28 February to 1 March. During the session, he impressed by recording the overall fastest lap time of 1:35.391, signalling strong early pace heading into the opening round.
A Distinctive Racing Identity
For the 2026 season, Team Porsche Malaysia will campaign the new Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992.2) in a distinctive blue livery accented with orange highlights — reflecting the colours of the Sime Motors brand.
The car also carries a special graphic on the roof featuring the layout of the upcoming Porsche Experience Centre Singapore. Scheduled to open in 2027, the facility will become the first Porsche Experience Centre in Southeast Asia and the 11th worldwide, offering immersive driving experiences for customers and enthusiasts.
Naquib will compete with car number 17, with the same livery appearing across all rounds of the championship.
Season Opener in Shanghai
The 2026 season of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia begins in Shanghai from 14–15 March, before heading to several major circuits across Asia.
The championship will also return to the Sepang International Circuit later in the season for Rounds 9, 10 and 11, which will feature two sprint races and one endurance-format weekend.
For Porsche Malaysia, Naquib’s participation represents more than just a driver entry. It highlights a long-term strategy to cultivate Malaysian motorsport talent — proving that modern racing pathways can begin not only on physical circuits but also in the rapidly evolving world of esports.
