Niels Langeveld has already made quite a few childhood dreams come true. On the weekend of August 29, he adds another one to the list: racing in the Porsche Supercup. And not just anywhere—at the Dutch GP on the very circuit where it all once began for Niels: Zandvoort. As a guest driver, he reaches a new highlight in his already impressive racing career, thanks to a strong group of sponsors, including main sponsor 360 Talent. “Without their help, this would never have happened.”
Niels has never hidden the fact that he wanted to one day appear as a guest driver in the highest possible Porsche racing class: the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Dutch drivers have been competing—and succeeding—there for years, and Niels has always wanted a taste of that. “Last year I was really close, but in the end I didn’t click with the team that was supposed to support me. This year it’s different: together with Hadeca Racing I get to take on the established order, in which the Netherlands, as always, is well represented. There are definitely some big names among them.”
Aiming for the same kind of results as record champion Larry ten Voorde is not on Niels’ mind. “I’m going in without expectations. Sure, this is my second year gaining experience in an official Porsche cup car, but the Supercup really is on another level compared to the Carrera Cup Benelux. This is next level in terms of speed and competition. The regulars rely heavily on data and experience to squeeze everything out of their cars. Data I simply don’t have. So I need to be realistic when it comes to performance.”
As modest as Niels is about his chances and as careful as he is in managing expectations, he is just as excited about the experience itself. “This is the penultimate year that Zandvoort is on the Formula 1 calendar—the pinnacle of motorsport. To be part of the support program of an official F1 race weekend, on an iconic track where I have so many fond memories, feels like coming full circle. This is where it all began for me, where I’ve clocked countless laps and celebrated successes in all kinds of race classes. I’ll never get closer to the best drivers in the world than this. Next year Formula 1 leaves Zandvoort, so for me it was now or never.”
That it became “now” is thanks first and foremost to main sponsor 360 Talent. “They were super enthusiastic about my plan from the start. I’m so incredibly grateful to them and to the other sponsors—Finder, Van Ruiten Foodpack, Amsterdam The Style Outlets, and Leendertse Bronbemaling—for securing me a seat with Hadeca Racing. This young Spanish team is making its debut in the Porsche Supercup this season, but they’ve already shown some great things. Plus, the chemistry with the team was immediately right, and a few weeks ago we sealed the deal. The ink is barely dry. What makes it extra special is that their regular driver is an old acquaintance of mine: I raced against Mikel Azcona back in my touring car days. It just had to be this way…”
Niels will take to the track on Friday, August 29, during the first and only free practice session for the Supercup that weekend, followed by qualifying on Saturday and the race on Sunday—just before the (for now) penultimate Dutch Grand Prix kicks off. There may be no expectations, but hoping Niels can be the Dutch crowd-pleaser, as a warm-up for Max Verstappen, is always allowed. One thing’s for sure: it won’t be his right foot holding him back!
