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Michael Christensen signed as Porsche works driver

Stuttgart . Michael Christensen from Denmark joins Porsche's works squad for the 2014 season. After spending the last two years as a Porsche junior, where he paved the way for greater tasks with his strong performances in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Porsche now gives the 23-year-old race driver the chance to take the next step in his career.

As a teenager, Michael Christensen was one of the most successful kart drivers in the world. In 2005 he clinched the European Championship, a year later he claimed the vice-championship title and victory at the prestigious Macau Kart Grand Prix. He then switched to various Formula series, winning the Formula BMW Europe Rookies Cup in 2008 and celebrating seven wins in this championship a year later. He followed up with two years in the GP3 Series. In the winter of 2011, Christensen took part in a rigorous Porsche youth development selection programme and beat many young racing aspirants from all over the world, winning a comprehensive support package as a Porsche Junior in the Carrera Cup Deutschland. At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, he crowned his promising 2012 maiden season with his first victory on the Hockenheimring. Even after his promotion into the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, the world's supreme brand trophy series, he fulfilled all expectations this season with the new, more powerful Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: He won the race on the Nürburgring and with consistently good performances secured the rookie classification title as the best Supercup newcomer.

During his two years as a Porsche junior, Michael Christensen also gained other important experiences with backing from Porsche driving various Porsche 911 race cars at top-notch classics such as the 24 Hours at Daytona and the Petit Le Mans in the USA as well as at the Nürburgring Long Distance Championship.

"I'm pleased that Michael is another of our Porsche juniors who has managed to make the leap into our works squad," says Porsche Head of Motorsport Hartmut Kristen. "In the last couple of years he has exhibited many positive qualities and shown the personal development that we strive for in our junior programme. He has matured into a real professional both on and off the track."

"It's a dream come true. To compete as a Porsche works driver is the chance of a lifetime," says Michael Christensen. "I've learned so much as a Porsche junior thanks to the extensive support I have received, and I've developed as a race driver and a man. I will do my very best to continue justifying the immense trust that Porsche has placed in me."