Kuala Lumpur, 9 March 2026 – Porsche Malaysia has confirmed its participation in the 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, fielding rising Malaysian talent Naquib Azlan in the PRO category under Team Porsche Malaysia.
The 26-year-old driver will compete in the full championship season behind the wheel of the #17 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992.2), supported through a collaboration between Porsche Malaysia, Earl Bamber Motorsport and Axle Motorsports.
The programme reflects Porsche Malaysia’s continued commitment to developing local motorsport talent through structured pathways from esports to professional racing.
From Sim Racing to the Real Track
Naquib’s journey into motorsport began in 2020 through competitive sim racing, where he developed his racecraft and technical understanding of vehicle dynamics.
His breakthrough came after winning the Driven Dreamers category in the 2025 Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia, earning him entry into Porsche’s Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Talent Pool programme.
The programme provides selected drivers with:
- Professional coaching
- Training camps
- Structured performance development
- Track testing opportunities
What started as virtual competition has now evolved into a full-season campaign in one of Asia’s most competitive one-make racing championships.
Preparing for the 2026 Season
In preparation for the championship, Naquib recently participated in the official test session at the Zhuhai International Circuit.
During the session held from 28 February to 1 March, he set the fastest overall lap time of 1:35.391, signalling promising pace ahead of the season opener.
The 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season will begin in Shanghai from 14–15 March, before travelling to major circuits across the region.
Later in the season, the championship will return to Sepang International Circuit, hosting Rounds 9, 10 and 11 with a combination of sprint races and an endurance format weekend.
Distinctive Team Porsche Malaysia Livery
For the 2026 campaign, Team Porsche Malaysia’s race car will feature a distinctive blue livery with orange highlights, inspired by the colours of the Sime Motors brand.
The car’s roof design also incorporates the official layout of the upcoming Porsche Experience Centre Singapore, which is scheduled to open in 2027.
Once completed, the facility will become the first Porsche Experience Centre in Southeast Asia and the 11th worldwide, offering immersive driving experiences for Porsche customers and fans.
Leadership Perspective
According to Christopher Hunter, Chief Executive Officer of Sime Darby Auto Performance:
“Motorsport is deeply rooted in Porsche’s DNA, shaped by over 75 years of racing heritage. Naquib Azlan’s progression from sim racing to Porsche Carrera Cup Asia demonstrates what can be achieved when performance, discipline and opportunity come together.”
Naquib himself described the opportunity as a major milestone in his career, highlighting how competitive sim racing opened the door to professional motorsport.
