December 1, 2017 No. 20/17

Porsche China Junior Programme

16-year-old Chinese driver Daniel Lu selected to become youngest China Junior

Shanghai. After an exhaustive search for the most promising young talent across Asia, 16-year-old Chinese driver Daniel Lu has been selected as the 2018 Porsche China Junior.

The life-changing regional talent search saw nearly 300 of applicants narrowed down to just 7 finalists, with Lu emerging on top after a series of trials that tested the young talent’s driving ability, physical condition and personality.

As result of his remarkable performance, the young Chinese native will receive a fully sponsored GT3 Cup (Type 991 II) car and entry fee to represent the Porsche China Junior Team in the Overall class for the Cup Asia’s 2018 season, as well as training and coaching from some of Porsche’s most renown factory drivers, including two-time and Asia champion and global Porsche Junior Programme coach Sascha Maassen. Lu will also have the chance to compete to participate in the global Porsche Junior Shootout, of which previous winners include star drivers such as , Marc Lieb, and Michael Christensen.

Part of Porsche’s extensive global investment in nurturing young motorsport talent, this is the second Porsche China Junior Programme talent search to be held in the region, with Andrew Tang named as the first Porsche China Junior in 2015.

This year’s search began in August and saw one of the largest number of applicants to date, with seven talented young drivers from China, Thailand and Malaysia selected as the finalists. Lu stood out as the most well-rounded one after an intensive 3-day shootout that took place shortly after the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia finale in early November.

“We set the bar very high for each of the finalists, all of whom showed incredible promise. Daniel fought hard to achieve some of the highest scores across several of the areas tested. Not only did he display an impressive speed and technical driving ability, he showed a genuine passion for motorsport that rings true to the Porsche spirit. He is well-disciplined, eager and ready to learn and we are looking forward to providing the youngest ever Porsche China Junior with as many opportunities as possible to grow over the 2018 season. We wish him best of luck on the track”, Head of Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Alexandre Gibot said.

A native to the home of Porsche China in Shanghai, Lu began his career in karting at Shanghai International Circuit, where he quickly showed a natural talent by winning the Rotax Max Challenge China junior category at the young age of 14 in 2015. Earlier this year, he continued his rapid growth as a driver after competing in the Renaults Formula 1 Road to Champion, where emerged in first among a field of nearly 50,000 Chinese participants.

In addition to his skills on the track, Lu has earned qualifications in Vehicle Technology for Motorsport and Piano Theory.

“I am so proud and so happy to win the Porsche China Junior Programme shootout for 2018. It’s a huge honor to be selected from such a strong field of applicants. I will now do my best to repay the confidence shown in me by Porsche China and am really looking forward to the 2018 season. I realize I have a great deal to learn in a short period of time, but I am determined to get up to speed as fast as possible,” Daniel Lu said.

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Porsche Carrera Cup Asia 2018 Season Calendar

March 23–25 Test Days Shanghai International Circuit

April 13–15 Round 1 Shanghai International Circuit

June 15-17 Round 2 and 3 Fuji International Speedway

July 13–15 Round 4 and 5 Bangsaen Street Circuit

August 3–5 Round 6 and 7 Sydney Motorsport Park

September 14–16 Round 8 Marina Bay Circuit

September 28 – 30 Round 9 and 10 Sepang International Circuit

November 16-18 Round 11 and 12 Shanghai International Circuit

Series Partners

Supporting the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia are two of the most recognised names in international motorsport, Mobil 1 and Michelin. Mobil and Porsche have been partners since 1996. Close co- operation in research and development has led to every new Porsche engine being filled with Mobil 1 high-performance lubricant. Porsche Carrera Cup Asia drivers also have the advantage of racing on cutting-edge tyres supplied by series partner Michelin. The consistent performance and leading technology of Michelin tyres constantly improve the performance of many teams in international motorsport. The partnership between Michelin and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia has emerged from a worldwide agreement signed between Porsche AG and the Michelin group. The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia is organised and promoted by Malaysian-based Motorsport Asia Ltd.

About Porsche Carrera Cup Asia

Preparing for its 16th season in 2018, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia blasted off the starting grid in 2003 and has never looked back. Joining the family of hugely successful Porsche “one make” series, it is now firmly established as the Number One racing series in Asia.

The Porsche Carrera Cup Asia offers sporting competition at the highest level across the region and is truly international, with competitors from all over Asia as well as Europe and the Pacific. The field is made up of a combination of professional racing drivers and ambitious and talented gentlemen drivers.

About Porsche China

Porsche was founded by Prof. in , Germany in 1931 and was then transformed into a sports car manufacturer by in 1948. Porsche has been known as one of the most prestigious automobile brands in the world for decades. Under the guiding credo of “Intelligent Performance”, Porsche leads the way in providing a new generation of sports cars that prove performance and efficiency can be perfectly combined.

Since entering the Chinese market in 2001, Porsche China has been dedicated to bringing the sporty genes and innovative spirit of the marque to Porsche enthusiasts in this dynamic market. In Porsche’s network in China, customers can experience the unlimited appeal of Porsche’s iconic sports cars: the legendary 911 series, the renowned 718 Boxster and 718 Cayman mid-engine sports cars, the luxurious Cayenne premium SUV, the dynamic and pioneering Macan SUV, the luxurious four-door Panamera with pure sports gene. Each demonstrates excellence in performance, exquisite design, and consistent commitment to perfect quality that Porsche embodies. Across Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau, there are now 100 Porsche sales sites, ensuring that Porsche customers across the country receive the hallmark personalised care that sets Porsche apart around the world.

In 2016, China was once again the strongest individual market with a total 65,246 vehicles delivered across Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau. Therefore, China has become the largest single market for Porsche worldwide. Porsche China expects an equally promising 2017 as it continues the marque’s achievements with more future-oriented offerings.

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Social Media

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For further enquiries, please contact: Rachel Ye Manager, Social PR and Motorsport Porsche China Tel: (86-21) 6156 5911 Fax: (86-21) 5058 4200 Email: [email protected] Website: www.carreracupasia.com