Team Porsche New Zealand confirms 2026 driver line-up with Bewley and Giltrap
Team Porsche New Zealand (TPNZ), in partnership with Earl Bamber Motorsport (EBM), has confirmed its 2026 racing programme, with young Kiwi talents Tom Bewley and Marco Giltrap set to represent the team across two major Porsche one-make championships.
Bewley steps up to Carrera Cup Australia
After an impressive 2025 season that saw him finish third in the Porsche Michelin Sprint Challenge, Tom Bewley has been awarded the 2026 TPNZ scholarship seat and will graduate to the Porsche Paynter Dixon Carrera Cup Australia Championship.
The series is widely regarded as the premier one-make category in Australasia and has a strong reputation for propelling Kiwi drivers into international careers. Callum Hedge famously used the same scholarship to launch his Carrera Cup title-winning 2023 season before moving to the US to compete in Indy NXT.
Bewley will begin his campaign at the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne next March.
“I’m really looking forward to being back with Team Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport after a good year in Sprint Challenge. I’m looking foward to being in Carrera Cup and learning new tracks and tougher competition.” – Tom Bewley
Giltrap shifts focus to Carrera Cup Asia
For 2026, Marco Giltrap will make the move to a full season in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia, having previously competed in selected rounds while racing full-time in Australia. Giltrap enjoyed success at Sepang earlier this year with two podiums and will now tackle a broader spread of circuits across Asia.
He will also race the latest 992.2-generation Cup car, gaining valuable experience with Porsche’s newest technology. The upcoming season marks Giltrap’s fourth with Team Porsche New Zealand and EBM.
“I’m excited to be making the move to Carrera Cup Asia with Team Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport. We’ve had some great success here in the past, and it will be some good competition on track.” – Marco Giltrap
A proven Kiwi motorsport pathway
Now entering its sixth year, the Team Porsche New Zealand scholarship programme has established itself as one of the strongest development pathways for rising Kiwi drivers. TPNZ claimed both championship titles in 2023, and has helped launch the careers of Matthew Payne, Ryan Wood, Callum Hedge, and others.
The programme is guided by two-time Le Mans winner Earl Bamber, whose own career was transformed after winning the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia title in 2013 and the prestigious Porsche Motorsport International Cup Scholarship.
Reflecting on the 2026 driver line-up, Bamber said:
“It’s amazing to see Tom Bewley’s process as a driver. He’s had a strong start racing Porsches and reminds me of a young Matthew Payne – and what he’s gone on to achieve. We’re super excited to see what he can go on to do in the top tier of Porsche one-make racing in Australia.”
Porsche New Zealand General Manager Greg Clarke added:
“The Team Porsche New Zealand scholarship programme has proven to be a successful pathway for young Kiwi racing drivers to break through in the international racing market for several years now. We are pleased to confirm that we will continue our pursuit in Asia, to complement our existing programme in Australia. Both TPNZ drivers show raw skill and potential on the track, and we look forward to seeing their success throughout the year.”
About Team Porsche New Zealand
Launched in 2019 by Porsche New Zealand and Earl Bamber Motorsport, the TPNZ programme supports young New Zealand drivers competing in Porsche’s Australian and Asian series. Managed from EBM’s base in Brisbane, the initiative provides a structured pathway through Porsche’s global motorsport ladder with strong mentorship from Bamber himself.
The 2026 season will see the team continue its mission of developing Kiwi talent on both sides of the Tasman and now further across Asia.
