Pfaff Motorsports have confirmed their commitment to the full 2022 IMSA season, stepping up to the series’ new GTD Pro category, with an all-new driver lineup featuring Porsche works drivers Matt Campbell and Mathieu Jaminet for the full season, with two-time IMSA DPi champion Felipe Nasr for the seasons’ four endurance rounds.
Pfaff will contest its fourth season in the IMSA WeatherTech championship with the #9 Porsche 911 GT3 R “Plaid Porsche.”
Campbell is a familiar face for the team; he joined the squad previously on two separate occasions, including a win at Road America in 2019, and the 2021 Daytona 24 Hours. The Australian’s accomplishments include a class win the 2018 24 Hours of Le Mans and a colossal effort to capture the Bathurst 12 Hours in 2019.
Partnering Campbell in the Pfaff car for the full season is fellow Porsche factory driver Jaminet, who spent the last two seasons piloting the 911 RSR for the North American factory team, including back-to-back podium finishes at Daytona.
The duo has an extensive working history together in the past, including stints in the IMSA-entered 911 RSR and the 24 Hours of Spa, which will be a great benefit in the team’s first all-pro season.
Newly announced as a Porsche factory driver, Nasr joins as the third driver for the endurance events, the former F1 driver has spent the last three seasons with the dominant Whelen Engineering DPi program, taking the 2019 and 2021 drivers titles.
Chris Pfaff, President & CEO: “2022 will be just our third full season in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and in that short time, I’m incredibly proud of what the whole Pfaff Motorsports team has accomplished, winning four races and the GTD championship in 2021. We’re excited to be taking the next big step and are grateful for the confidence that Porsche has shown in us. With an amazing driver lineup and a great team behind them, all of the ingredients are in place for a successful season.”
Steve Bortolotti, General Manager: “Our move to GTD Pro signals Pfaff Motorsports’ commitment to becoming an elite privateer effort, worthy of factory consideration for future opportunities. We are appreciative of Porsche’s support with factory drivers Matt, Mathieu, and Felipe. They have a proven track record of success individually, and we look forward to working with them and seeing how they gel this season.”
Matt Campbell, Driver: “Firstly, I’m really excited to be joining the team once again, but this time for a full season. They have proven after winning the championship that we will be a force to be reckoned with in 2022.
“Having driven with the team previously, it will be an easy step already knowing the majority of them, which has a great group of characters. Mathieu and I have been driving together for two years now in most championships we compete in – we like the same things in the car and have the same feedback, so I expect our partnership to only grow further with the team.”
Mathieu Jaminet, Driver: “I’m super happy to be joining Pfaff in GTD Pro. It was really my priority to race full time in the USA in 2022, and to be racing with the reigning GTD champions is a privilege. The team showed great performances this season and I can’t wait to get it started at Daytona. Matt and I know each other really well and we’ve already had some good success. This should help us to perform straight away. We like the same things on the car and have the same feedback to push the team. He also knows the team so this will help me integrate quicker with everyone.
“For the season our goal is clear; we’ve got all the ingredients to be up front, so the target is to try and win the championship. Obviously, we are always looking at the big races, so Daytona and Sebring are also on top of my list. Let’s see what the year has got for us.”
Felipe Nasr, Driver: “I’m very excited to be joining the Porsche family and team Plaff ahead of the 2022 season. I always love going to Daytona and having a shot of winning the Rolex 24; this time will be completely new to the GTD Pro class. Hopefully, it will a smooth transition and a fast learning process with the help of my well-experienced teammates Matt and Mathieu.
“The prototypes have a special place in my heart, having won two IMSA championships. Adjusting to the driving style of a GT3 car will be the main thing, like the cornering speeds and braking zones. I’m really looking forward to starting working with everyone within the team and getting the most out of it, as a racer I’m always up for a new challenge.
“Off-season, I’m spending a week completely offline fishing in the Amazon and enjoying some laid-back days in the jungle – something I try to do once a year at least.”
