Updated: with a statement from Porsche
Mathieu Jaminet has announced on social media that he is leaving Porsche at the end of the year, with a new chapter of his career starting next year.
'After so many unforgettable years together, I’ve chosen to start a new chapter at the end of this WEC season,' he said on Instagram.
'It’s been one of the hardest decisions of my life, but I felt it was the right time to move on.'
'I’ll never forget what this brand did for me 10 years ago: taking a kid with no backing, no money, just a dream and giving me a chance.'
The Frenchman joined Porsche in 2015, after racing in the Porsche Carrera Cup France, finishing second that year.
Since then, he's won multiple races with the German manufacturer, including two IMSA Sportscar Championship title wins, one in GTD Pro in 2022 and the other with the factory Porsche Penske Motorsport squad, winning this year's IMSA title overall alongside Matt Campbell, who he also won GTD Pro with in 2022.
He's also raced four times with Porsche at Le Mans, once in GTE Pro in 2019 and three times in three years with Porsche Penske Motorsport.
'To everyone who has been part of this journey teammates, engineers, mechanics, and friends — thank you. We achieved things I once only dreamed of,' he continued.
'Finishing with an IMSA championship feels like the perfect goodbye.
'Now, let’s go to Bahrain and enjoy this last one!'
Porsche will 'miss Jaminet greatly'
For Porsche's part, a spokesperson told Only Endurance that Jaminet is an success story for the German manufacturer's work with young drivers.
'We will miss him greatly, both as a person and as a racing driver,' said the statement.
'He has been part of the Porsche Motorsport family for ten years now and is another example of our successful work with young talents.
'It has been a tough journey from being a Porsche Junior to an IMSA champion in the Porsche 963, which has demanded a great deal from him. We have enjoyed accompanying him on this journey and wish him all the best for his future.'
Jaminet will finish his Porsche career by racing alongside Julien Andlauer and Hypercar newcomer Laurin Heinrich, in the #5 Porsche machine, next weekend in the FIA World Endurance Championship's season finale at the 8 Hours of Bahrain.
Feature image: Drew Gibson / Porsche
Phil Oakley