Racing

Porsche Fills GT3 Department Head Role Amidst Job Reductions

In a significant development for Porsche's motorsport division, Maximilian Muller has been officially named the new project manager for the GT3 department. This appointment is particularly noteworthy as it occurs during a period of substantial workforce reduction within the company, indicating the strategic importance Porsche places on its GT racing program, especially the acclaimed 911 GT3 R.

Muller's promotion follows the departure of Sebastian Golz, who had led the GT3 operations for nearly a decade. With over 13 years of experience in Porsche's motorsport sector, including his recent role managing GT race support, the 38-year-old German brings extensive expertise to his new position. Initially, there were considerations not to fill Golz's role due to broader company restructuring, which includes plans to reduce approximately 5,000 jobs by 2035, with the Weissach facility, home to the motorsport department, also facing staff reductions. However, the necessity for a dedicated GT project manager became evident, leading to Muller's official confirmation at the end of February 2026. His responsibilities now extend beyond team support to include critical areas like Balance of Performance (BoP) and engagement with various race organizers and series promoters, such as the ADAC.

Complementing Muller's leadership is Andreas Singer, son of the legendary Porsche operations manager Norbert Singer. Andreas, though preferring a background role, serves as the development lead for the GT department's overall vehicle. Both Muller and Singer played integral roles in the creation of the current Porsche 911 GT3 R and its Evo variant, ensuring a seamless transition and continuity in managing the current technical challenges and future developments of Porsche's GT program.

This strategic appointment underscores Porsche's enduring commitment to its high-performance GT racing heritage, even as the company navigates significant organizational changes. By placing seasoned leadership in charge of the GT3 division, Porsche reaffirms its dedication to innovation and excellence on the racetrack, demonstrating a forward-looking approach that balances operational efficiency with competitive aspirations.

Kelvin Fu Appointed President of Honda Racing Corporation USA

Honda Racing Corporation USA (HRC US) has announced a significant leadership change, with Kelvin Fu stepping into the role of president. This transition marks a new chapter for the organization, building on a foundation of success and innovation.

A New Era of Leadership for Honda's Racing Division

Transition at the Helm: From David Salters to Kelvin Fu

On September 12, 2026, Kelvin Fu will officially assume the presidency of Honda Racing Corporation USA, taking over from David Salters. Salters is moving on to a technology startup outside the fast-paced world of motorsports, concluding a highly successful period at HRC US.

David Salters' Lasting Legacy at HRC US

David Salters initially joined Honda Performance Development (HPD), now HRC US, in 2015 as a chief engineer. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming technical director in 2019 and then president in 2020. His extensive career includes pivotal roles in Formula 1 with Ferrari and Mercedes-Benz, as well as a development engineer for CART Indy car programs at Cosworth Racing Ltd. Under Salters' guidance, HRC US achieved remarkable success, securing three IndyCar Series manufacturers' championships and five drivers' titles. The team also dominated the 2022 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, sweeping the teams', drivers', and manufacturers' titles.

Pioneering Innovation and Expansion Under Salters' Direction

Beyond competitive triumphs, Salters was instrumental in modernizing and electrifying HRC US's motorsports portfolio. He spearheaded the introduction of the Acura ARX-06 LMDh car for the 2023 IMSA season and integrated hybrid technology into Indy cars in 2024. Additionally, Salters initiated a new business division focused on apparel, performance parts, and a heritage racing program, connecting enthusiasts with vintage Honda and Acura race cars.

Salters' Farewell and Endorsement of His Successor

In a heartfelt message, Salters expressed gratitude to the Honda Racing Corporation USA team, its racing partners, and talented drivers. He acknowledged the honor of contributing to Honda's racing history in the U.S. and highlighted his family's experience of becoming American citizens through their journey with Honda. Salters emphasized that HRC US is currently thriving, with an exciting future ahead in IndyCar and other innovative projects. He expressed confidence in Kelvin Fu, stating that after six years of close collaboration, Fu is the ideal leader to guide the team forward.

Kelvin Fu's Distinguished Career and Vision for the Future

Kelvin Fu ascends to the presidency after serving as vice president, a role in which he significantly contributed to four of HRC US's 17 Indianapolis 500 victories. Fu joined HPD in 2015, initially overseeing chassis design, aerodynamics, and performance engineering. He became director of programs in 2020 before his promotion to vice president in 2021. His background includes a strong foundation in defense and aerospace industries, holding bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, a PhD and postdoctoral appointment at the University of California, Berkeley, and a second postdoctoral appointment at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Prior to Honda, he worked at HR Textron and ITT Aerospace.

Embracing the Challenge and Upholding the Honda Racing Spirit

Fu shared his humility and excitement for the new role, reflecting on his journey from working on programs like the NSX GT3 and Acura DPi race cars to building strong partnerships within the racing community. He praised David Salters' leadership, mentorship, and vision, crediting him with shaping HRC US into a world-class organization. Looking ahead, Fu is enthusiastic about HRC US's future, particularly its renewed commitment to IndyCar and new business ventures aimed at engaging Honda racing fans. He affirmed the organization's dedication to innovation, competition, and developing cutting-edge technologies and talent, promising to uphold the Honda racing spirit of challenging conventions and pushing boundaries.

See More

Fairclough Dominates GB3, Goff Secures Ginetta Junior Title, Bedrin Struggles at Donington Park

This report details the exhilarating motorsport events that unfolded at Donington Park, highlighting significant wins, championship clinches, and challenging races across various categories including GB3, Ginetta Junior, GB4, Ginetta GT Championship, and TCR UK.

Donington Park Delivers High Drama: Champions Emerge and Fortunes Shift!

Fairclough's Continued GB3 Ascent

Deagen Fairclough's impressive form in the GB3 Championship continued its strong trajectory last weekend, as he secured two more significant wins at Donington Park. His consistent performance is a testament to his team's recent advancements, particularly after a successful test day at Snetterton where they made crucial setup improvements.

Bedrin's Challenging Weekend

In stark contrast to Fairclough's success, Nikita Bedrin experienced a difficult weekend, marked by an early mistake that cost him a chance at securing the GB3 title. Despite a strong qualifying performance where he narrowly outpaced Fairclough for pole in Race 1, a first-lap crash in Race 2 at Fogarty Esses dashed his hopes of a strong points haul, ultimately impacting his championship bid.

Race 1: Fairclough Edges Out Bedrin

The first race saw an intense battle between Fairclough and Bedrin. Fairclough, starting from second, made an excellent launch to seize the lead early on. Despite Bedrin's persistent attempts to reclaim the lead, including multiple overtaking maneuvers at Goddards and Redgate, Fairclough skillfully defended his position, ultimately winning by a mere 0.317 seconds. Abbi Pulling secured a well-deserved third place, marking her third GB3 podium.

Race 2: Fairclough's Uncontested Victory Amidst Chaos

Fairclough converted his pole position into a dominant lead in Race 2. The race was punctuated by two safety car periods: first, after Bedrin's early incident, and again when Jack Taylor and Ricardo Baptista collided. Fairclough masterfully managed both restarts, pulling away to a comfortable two-second lead over second-place finisher Leon Wilson, further solidifying his strong run in the latter half of the season.

Campbell-Pilling's Maiden Win and Bedrin's Further Struggles

The third race, featuring a reversed grid, witnessed Rowan Campbell-Pilling claim his first GB3 victory with a commanding performance from third on the grid. Abbi Pulling once again demonstrated her consistency by securing another third-place finish. Unfortunately for Bedrin, his difficult weekend persisted, as he finished a disappointing 16th, failing to score any points in the final race.

Ginetta Junior Championship: Goff Crowned Champion

The Ginetta Junior Championship saw its title decided at Donington Park, with R Racing's Lewis Goff sealing the championship crown with three races remaining. His early triumph highlights a season of exceptional driving and strategic racing, marking him as the standout performer in the Ginetta Junior category.

Ginetta Junior Race Highlights

Melvin Kalousdian dominated Race 1 from pole position, holding off a strong challenge from Riley Cranham to secure his fourth consecutive victory. Race 2 was a more tumultuous affair, with Harrison Mackie initially leading before Cranham took the win in a shortened race. The finale, after Cranham received a penalty, saw Goff inherit victory to clinch the championship, with Mackie and Sebastien Leusch completing the podium.

GB4 and Ginetta GT Championship Action

In the GB4 category, Fred Green secured a victory in the opener, fending off Alex O’Grady. Yani Stevenheydens impressed on his debut, converting pole into a win in Race 2. The Ginetta GT Championship witnessed intense battles, with William Antrobus maintaining his points lead despite a dramatic collision in Race 2. Harry Gamble ultimately won Race 3, showcasing the competitive nature of the series.

TCR UK Developments

The TCR UK series provided its own share of excitement, with Adam Shepherd (Audi) and Maximus Hall (Honda) each claiming a victory. Max Hart (Honda) managed to retain his lead in the championship standings, despite not reaching the podium in either race, underscoring the fierce competition within the series.

See More