Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser, 45, took on the role as Head of Porsche Motorsport in October 2014 and is responsible for the worldwide GT motorsport activities as well as for GT production sports cars.

Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser: “Before Earl Bamber and Nick Tandy became works drivers, we knew them through the intensive support not only from their results on the race track but also as people. We teach our supported drivers more than just about racing and races. They also learn everything about fitness, media awareness and all the things that make a perfect race driver. If they have competed in the makes cups, we get a very clear idea about talented youngsters, because racing series like the Porsche Carrera Cup and the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup are true driver championships. The cars are almost identical and those who master them the best are good drivers. Our youth development programme, which we launched in 1997 with the first Porsche Junior team, is long-term and successful: Many of our current works drivers came from here. Porsche opens all doors to those who are talented and really fast.”

In general, how does Porsche benefit from motor racing?
“Racing for us means high-tech, high stress and not avoiding challenges. We go out on the race track with good drivers and good cars and we say: Now let’s see who can do it the best. There are no excuses on the race track. The one who wins has done the best job. This is why winning Le Mans is so highly regarded. And you mustn’t forget, motorsport is also something with which all our employees and our customers identify.”

(Based on Porsche Motorsport press information)