Alexandra Vateva set to become first ever female driver in Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East

Bulgarian driver Alexandra Vateva will make history as the first female driver to compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East, as she is entered by Lechner Racing in Bahrain following a successful season in Porsche competitions across Europe.

Photo credits: Alexandra Vateva

Young Bulgarian driver Alexandra Vateva is a talent to watch: after a winning debut in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Benelux and an impressive drive in the Porsche Sports Cup Deutschland, she’s taking on her next mission as the first female driver to compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East with Lechner Racing, again driving a Porsche 992 GT3 Cup car.

Selected as part of the Porsche Sports Cup Deutschland Talent Pool Program, Vateva has advanced from racing a Porsche Cayman GT4 in 2023 to piloting a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (992) this season. In her debut campaign last year, Vateva enjoyed considerable success with Overdrive Racing, securing multiple podium finishes.

Building on her experience, she made a one-off appearance in the Porsche Sprint Challenge Benelux at Spa-Francorchamps, where she claimed class victory in both Belgian races and ultimately won a thrilling battle for the overall victory in race two.

She concluded her 2024 season with a standout performance in the Porsche Sports Cup Deutschland at Hockenheimring, winning the one-hour Endurance race alongside Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup racer Robert De Haan. Together, they piloted the #56 Porsche 992 GT3 Cup car operated by Laptime Performance.

Now, Vateva is set to make history as the first female driver to compete in the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East, where she will race a Porsche 992 GT3 Cup car for Lechner Racing.

"Grateful to announce my participation in the first race of the Porsche Carrera Cup Middle East season in Bahrain. Honored to be given this opportunity by Lechner Racing and to be the first female driver in Carrera Cup Middle East," said Vateva.

The season opens this weekend in Bahrain, with a second, yet-to-be-announced event, before the third round in January 2025 in Dubai. The season will consist of six events, with Vateva confirmed for the first round in Bahrain so far.