Mathieu Jaminet: “A great reward for my work”

Son passage au statut de pilote officiel Porsche Motorsport va perpétuer la longue tradition des pilotes français représentant Weissach sur les différents circuits mondiaux. Aux côtés de Romain Dumas, Frédéric Makowiecki, Patrick Pilet et Kévin Estre, Mathieu Jaminet pourra évoluer sur plusieurs championnats en 2020, tant avec la 911 RSR qu’avec la 911 GT3 R.

One of the Lorraine's missions will be to support the reigning GTLM champions in IMSA Earl Bamber and Laurens Vanthoor on the Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen and Petit endurance races Le Mans. The Intercontinental GT Challenge will also be on the menu for the former Porsche Carrera Cup France and ADAC GT Masters champion.

© Porsche

Mathieu Jaminet confides after this officialization and evokes his hopes for this new stage in a career with a methodical trajectory.

How do you feel after this announcement?

That was the goal when I arrived at Porsche, and a bit of a lifelong goal. Every driver wants to be a professional one day and a factory driver. It wasn't easy, it took a little time. Since I arrived at Porsche everything has gone well: I was Junior, then Young Professional.

Maybe I was hoping it would happen a little sooner, but I had to be patient, keep working, give my best to try to get there. It's a great reward for my work.

What will this change?

Basically, in terms of my sports program, I don't think it will change much, but afterward it's more on the personal side, and in my head, with the recognition of my work, that it feels good.

I don't think it will add pressure. There will always be some. We must not relax our efforts now that I am a factory driver. Now there are no more excuses like “I’m a young pilot learning”.

The last three seasons have gone well in GT. I feel ready to accept the pressure and if one day there are mistakes or things that go wrong, I will take my share of responsibility.

What highlight do you remember so far from your adventure at Porsche?

I really learned as I went along. I think the first year with the Supercup was the most difficult. This is where I competed internationally and where I learned the most. It was a big step coming from the France Cup.

I quickly got used to it and the transition to GT happened naturally. Porsche took the time to help me progress through the different series and to give me increasingly important steering wheels as I went along. I got something out of every race.

Do you have a specific wish for your racing programs in the future?

My desire would be to drive the official 911 RSR full-time in the future. I have a bit of a fondness for IMSA, because I'm a fan of American-style racing. But we know that we have a lot of very good drivers at Porsche. You will have to be patient and prove yourself.

I was delighted with my 2019 program with the long races in IMSA and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, but also GT3, with the Intercontinental GT Challenge.

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Porsche trusts me and it's moving in the right direction, so it's up to me to prove myself. If one day a place becomes available, that's where you'll have to make sure it's my turn. This requires results and performance.

Can we expect to see you at the 24 2020 Hours of Nürburgring?

I am waiting for Porsche's decision. I have a good chance.