Ryan Yardley and Tom Sargent have been named Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Drivers for 2026, earning factory support as they continue to climb through the North American Porsche Motorsport Pyramid. For both, the recognition is less about a single season and more about the trajectory of their careers – careers shaped through Porsche One-Make racing.
The Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver program is designed with a clear purpose: to identify, develop, and ultimately produce the next Porsche Factory Driver from within the North American ladder. Yardley and Sargent represent the latest step in that long-term vision.
“We’ve watched both of these talented drivers improve their craft through Porsche single-make racing here in North America and each has earned this honor,” said Volker Holzmeyer, President and CEO of Porsche Motorsport North America. “We’re proud of Ryan and Tom and look forward to watching their careers develop in the United States and around the world as PMNA Selected Drivers.”
For Yardley, the selection follows a breakout 2025 season that culminated in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America championship. The New Zealander delivered three wins and 14 podium finishes across 16 races, building a consistent campaign that showcased both pace and race craft. His title-winning year marked the final rung of the Carrera Cup ladder, and 2026 represents the next phase.
That next chapter begins at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, where Yardley will make his GTD debut in a Porsche 911 GT3 R with Mühlner Motorsport. Additional plans are expected to include GT World Challenge America and GT4 America competition, expanding his experience across sprint and endurance formats.
“It’s super special to continue my relationship with Porsche and officially join the Porsche family here in North America,” Yardley said. “I feel privileged and honored. Last year was an amazing year for me inside the race car and now to start this year at Daytona is very special. To be named as a Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver just before the race is special. I’m super excited for the season ahead and thankful to everyone involved, not only in making this decision but my career in North America to make this all happen.”
Sargent’s journey through the Pyramid began earlier, arriving in the United States in 2023 and immediately making an impact. He finished second in the Porsche Carrera Cup North America championship as a rookie, earned race wins in SRO GT World Challenge competition, and transitioned into top-level endurance racing with Wright Motorsports in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
After serving as a Porsche Motorsport North America Selected Driver in 2025, Sargent returns to the program for a second year, continuing his development with Wright Motorsports in IMSA Endurance Cup events while contesting additional SRO championships in Porsche machinery.
“It’s very exciting,” Sargent said. “Last year was a big step, being affiliated officially with the brand, and to be able to continue that again this year is very special. It’s a step in the right direction for where I want to be. I’ve been with Porsche since 2022 and to be recognized is very, very cool. I’ve got a lot of opportunities this year to drive a lot of Porsche cars, so it’s helpful to be a part of this. The mentoring that comes with it is very important, and the relationships as well.”
Beyond financial backing, the Porsche Selected Driver Program North America provides structured mentorship from former Porsche Factory driver Patrick Long, manufacturer insight, and expanded racing opportunities – elements designed to prepare drivers for sustained success at the professional level.
Sargent’s rise through the Porsche ranks included competition in both Porsche Sprint Challenge Australia and Porsche Carrera Cup North America, building a foundation across multiple levels of Porsche One-Make racing before stepping into top-tier GT and endurance programs. Yardley’s path was markedly different – after transitioning from open-wheel competition, he made his sports car debut in Porsche Carrera Cup North America in 2023, adapting quickly and accelerating his development within the Porsche Motorsport Pyramid.
That global approach is evident this weekend at Daytona, where nearly 90 drivers on the Rolex 24 entry list have competed in Porsche One-Make racing somewhere in the world. From national Carrera Cup championships to regional Sprint Challenge series, the Porsche system continues to feed the sport’s biggest stages.
For Yardley and Sargent, 2026 is another step forward, but not the final destination. As Porsche Motorsport North America continues its search for the next factory driver to emerge from the North American ranks, both drivers now carry the backing – and expectations – that come with wearing Porsche support at the highest level.
