This week, some of the brightest young talents in North American sports car racing are gathering at Porsche Penske Motorsport for an exclusive workshop that blends hands-on learning with high-level mentorship.
It’s all part of the Porsche EBOOST Junior Driver Program and Mobil 1 Female Driver Program—two initiatives built to guide the next generation of Porsche stars through a proven development ladder.
No one better represents that system in action than JDX Racing’s Porsche Carrera Cup North America driver, Paul Bocuse.
At just 17 years old, Bocuse is the quintessential poster child for Porsche’s North American development pyramid, having progressed from winning the championship in Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama in the Cayman class, to the 911 GT3 Cup car in Sprint Challenge, and now racing full-time in Porsche Carrera Cup North America.
“It’s been the perfect stepping stone,” Bocuse says. “It never feels like you’re skipping a step. It’s a progressive path, and every step teaches you something new.”
The Porsche Motorsport Pyramid in North America aims to provide young drivers with a path to achieve their goal of racing in international series, such as the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, IMSA, or the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The North American program also provides a potential gateway for drivers to step into the global Porsche Junior Program. Launched in 1997, the program has propelled the careers of countless drivers, including Timo Bernhard, Marc Lieb, and Earl Bamber, all of whom won the 24 Hours of Le Mans and FIA World Endurance Championship titles.
Porsche Penske Motorsport drivers Nick Tandy, Matt Campbell, Mathieu Jaminet, Kevin Estre, Michael Christensen, and Julian Andlauer all came from the global Porsche Junior Program.
Exceptional North American talent has also emerged through its system. Patrick Long, a longtime Porsche factory driver, emerged from Porsche one-make racing and now acts as a mentor for the 2025 juniors. Other program graduates include IMSA and SRO race winners Seb Priaulx and Parker Thompson (both Carrera Cup champions), as well as Zacharie Robichon, Roman De Angelis, Madison Snow, and many others.
Now in its second year, the North American EBOOST-backed Junior Program has taken that commitment to the next level, pairing rising talents like Bocuse with experienced mentors, engineers, and physical trainers.
“Last year was such an incredible experience,” Bocuse says. “You’re walking through this facility, seeing everything Porsche Penske Motorsport is doing in WEC and IMSA—it really motivates you. You think, ‘This is what I want to be a part of.’
“Throughout the season we’ve also had education sessions at each race weekend and have been able to lean on Richard Westbrook for more advice. He has massive experience and has been a huge help for all of us.”
In addition to the access and inspiration, the program also includes practical benefits. Bocuse, for example, earned his spot by winning the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama Junior Award last season—a title that came with free entries for the following year in Carrera Cup.
“That kind of support is huge,” he says. “It’s not just the financial help, but everything else—the mentors, the training, the exposure to what it takes to be at the top.”
Bocuse’s story started far from the pit lane. Growing up in Florida, he was first introduced to motorsports through his father, who dabbled in amateur racing. A Christmas gift—a go-kart under the tree—sparked a family hobby that quickly became something more.
“It started with all of us—my mom and dad both had go-karts, too,” he says. “But pretty quickly the focus shifted to me. I wasn’t very good at first. Honestly, I was terrible until I was about 11 or 12 years old. But I worked really hard. I always had to work harder than the kids around me.”
His dedication paid off. After a brief stint in Spec Miata, Bocuse discovered the Porsche Junior Program and entered Sprint Challenge in the Cayman class at 15. A test with a local team just minutes from his house led to a full season, which culminated in a championship and a step up into the Cup car.
As the grandson of legendary French chef Paul Bocuse—widely regarded as one of the greatest culinary figures of all time—Paul Jr. carries a name with global recognition. But he’s quick to draw the line between the kitchen and the cockpit.
“I wish I could say I was a good cook, but I’m really not,” he laughs.
“Thank God I can drive. But I think there’s a lot of overlap—precision, pressure, a constant pursuit of perfection. My grandpa always talked about how everything in the kitchen had to be clean and exact. That’s how it is with racing too. Everything has to be perfect to be excellent.”
Now in his rookie Carrera Cup season, Bocuse is realistic about the path ahead. He didn’t expect to dominate straight out of the gate, but views this year as a key development stage.
“This is probably one of the most competitive Carrera Cup fields ever,” he says. “But that’s a good thing—it’s going to make me better. Every race I’m improving, gaining a spot or two. We had a great test at Road America last week, and I think by the end of the year we’ll be in a strong position. Next year, I want to fight for the championship.”
“I’ve grown up in Florida, so Daytona and Sebring mean a lot to me—but Le Mans does too. Whether it’s IMSA or WEC, I just want to be part of the Porsche factory program. That’s the dream.”
