FROM SIM TO CIRCUIT

Clad in a distinctive blue livery with orange accents, Naquib's car, #17 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992.1), carries a nod to the colours of the Sime Motors brand.

In motorsport, opportunity is often the difference between aspiration and achievement.

For Porsche Malaysia, that belief has taken tangible form in creating a pathway where passion, performance and potential converge.

At the centre of this story is 26-year-old Naquib Azlan, a Malaysian talent whose journey from virtual racing to the professional grid of the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia (PCCA) 2026 season signals a compelling new chapter – not only for himself, but for the future of local motorsport.

More than a personal milestone, Naquib’s rise reflects a broader commitment by Porsche Malaysia to nurture and elevate homegrown talent through both digital and real-world platforms.

Transcending boundaries

For Naquib, motorsport began not on asphalt, but on a screen. Starting his journey in sim racing in 2020, he honed his racecraft in the virtual world – developing technical precision, discipline and an instinctive understanding of performance driving.After emerging as champion of the Driven Dreamers category at the Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia 2025, Naquib earned a place in the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia Talent Pool Programme.This initiative is designed to identify and cultivate promising drivers through professional coaching, training camps and structured performance development — reflecting Porsche’s long-standing commitment to cultivating talent within the region.Today, he competes in the Pro category of the 2026 Porsche Carrera Cup Asia season (PCCA), racing the #17 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992.2) car under Team Porsche Malaysia, represented by Sime Darby Auto Performance (Auto Performance) in partnership with Earl Bamber Motorsport and Axle Motorsports.

Naquib started his motorsports journey in sim racing in 2020, where he developed technical precision, discipline and an instinctive understanding of performance driving. Photos: Porsche Malaysia

His progression from simulator to one of Asia’s most competitive championships is a testament to the evolving nature of motorsport – where digital platforms are no longer a parallel track, but a legitimate launchpad.

The 2026 season marks a significant step up, with Naquib demonstrating promise by setting the fastest lap during the Official Test Day at Zhuhai International Circuit earlier this year.

Clad in a distinctive blue livery with orange accents, his car (#17) carries a nod to the colours of the Sime Motors brand, with its roof featuring the official layout of the Porsche Experience Centre Singapore, slated to open in 2027.

Up next, Naquib continues his campaign across some of the region’s most iconic circuits, with races at the vibrant street circuit of Bangsaen in Thailand in July, while August sees the championship return to home ground at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia for a crucial triple-header, before culminating under the lights at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in Singapore in October.

Now in its 23rd season, the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia continues to stand as one of the region’s premier racing series.

The 2026 campaign raises the stakes further, featuring a record-breaking grid of 30 drivers from 12 different countries and regions, and introducing the latest Porsche 911 Cup (992.2) car – making it the first championship globally to race this new generation machine.

The calendar spans some of Asia’s most iconic circuits, from Shanghai and Zhuhai to Fuji Speedway and the Marina Bay Street Circuit, with a highly anticipated return to Sepang International Circuit for a triple-header in August.

For emerging talents like Naquib, it is both a proving ground and a platform – an arena where performance can redefine trajectories.

Where dreams begin

Returning for its third installment in 2026, the Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia (PESCM) continues to position itself as an accessible entry point into motorsport for young enthusiasts.

The Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia mirrors the one-make racing series, Porsche Carrera Cup. Every participant drives an identical 911 GT3 Cup car with the same setup, including realistic steering wheels and pedals. Success depends entirely on the participant’s skills, focus, and strategy.For 2026, the championship introduces a female-only category, creating pathways for young women aged 10 to 23 to experience the thrill of motorsport in a supportive environment.

This reflects Porsche’s commitment to growing diversity in racing and inspiring women to chase their motorsport dreams.

“For over 75 years, Porsche has been synonymous with motorsport excellence. Whether on the tarmac or in the digital arena, racing is in our DNA. The Porsche Esports Sprint Challenge Malaysia continues this legacy, providing young talents a platform to explore their passion, hone their skills and aspire to greater heights. We hope this challenge inspires the next generation of drivers to reach even higher, both in sim racing and on the real track,” says Sime Darby Auto Performance (Auto Performance) CEO Christopher Hunter.

Participants progress through a series of knockout qualifying rounds held across the country, culminating in a high-stakes finale during the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia race weekend at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit in August.

Here, virtual racers find themselves immersed in the energy of a live motorsport event – bridging the gap between simulation and reality.

As Porsche Malaysia continues to invest in initiatives that bridge virtual and physical racing, the message is clear: motorsport is no longer confined to traditional entry points.

Through programmes like PESCM, structured development pathways and future-forward facilities such as the Porsche Experience Centre Singapore, the brand is shaping a more inclusive and dynamic motorsport landscape.