Phantom Global Racing fields Boccolacci, Bachler and Niederhauser for Suzuka 1000km

Phantom Global Racing will make its debut at the iconic Suzuka 1000km in September, with Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Selected Driver Dorian Boccolacci joined by fellow Porsche drivers Klaus Bachler and Patric Niederhauser.

Boccolacci is currently enjoying a strong GT World Challenge Asia campaign with Phantom Global Racing, where he and teammate Anthony Liu sit third in the standings. The Frenchman has also taken wins and podiums in Nürburgring Langstrecken Serie, while also competing in the Nürburgring 24 Hours and Super GT.

Klaus Bachler has won the last two editions of Asian Le Mans Series in impressive fashion, as well as clinching the LMGT3 category title in FIA World Endurance Championship in 2024, standing on the podium in six of the eight races. The Austrian also competed in GT World Challenge Asia as recently as 2023, where he took victory at Suzuka.

Completing the trio is Swiss racer Patric Niederhauser, who won the 2021 running of Indianapolis 8 Hour and this season is currently racing in GT World Challenge Europe, where he sits in third in the Sprint Cup standings, having taken a victory at Zandvoort in addition to three other podium finishes.

The Suzuka 1000km has been held 48 times and has seen some of the most famous Porsche cars and drivers take to the iconic figure-of-eight track. To mark the event’s return for the first time since 2019, selected Porsche cars will be running special liveries. Phantom Global Racing’s #23 Porsche 911 GT3 R is inspired by the ‘Pink Pig’, which is one of the marque’s most recognisable liveries. First appearing at the 1971 24 Hours of Le Mans on the #23 Porsche 917/20, it famously features lines and the names for meat cuts for butchers. The design returned to Le Mans for the 2018 edition, where it would take victory in the LMGTE category, solidifying its status as one of Porsche most-loved liveries.

This event will mark the third time Phantom Global Racing has competed in an Intercontinental GT Challenge enduro. During 2024, the squad finished just off the podium in fourth at the Bathurst 12 Hour, as well as completing 24 Hours of Spa in its first ever twice-around-the-clock race. Phantom Global Racing, since its inception at the start of 2024, has been active with Porsche in the Carrera Cup Asia and in its GT3 programs.

The Suzuka 1000km takes place on 12-14 September at Suzuka International Racing Course as Porsche, the most represented manufacturer with 11 entries, aims to add to its record-breaking 11 victories at the iconic event.

Dorian Boccolacci, Phantom Global Racing: “It’s great to be racing with Phantom Global Racing again in Asia and to be part of this excellent Pro line-up, especially in such an iconic livery! Klaus and Patric are two brilliant drivers and I’m confident that we can push each other to achieve positive results at this event. We’ve been doing a lot of simulation preparation so now I’m just excited to get out on-track.”

Klaus Bachler, Phantom Global Racing: “I’m looking forward to racing at Suzuka again as it’s an amazing circuit, which I first drove two years ago in GT World Challenge Asia. We’ve got a great car and driver line-up as we look to add more history to the already legendary livery that we’re racing in.”

Patric Niederhauser, Phantom Global Racing: “It’s an honour to race in the colours of the ‘Pink Pig’ as it’s such an iconic car within the Porsche family. It’ll be the first time that I’ve shared the Porsche 911 GT3 R with Dorian and Klaus, but they are two fast drivers who I’m excited to team up with. We know we have what it takes to achieve a great result in Suzuka next month.”

Alexandre Gibot, Managing Director Porsche Motorsport Asia Pacific Ltd.: “We’re delighted to once again work with Phantom Global Racing as the team competes in a third Intercontinental GT Challenge race. The squad delivered impressive performances in 2024 in the Bathurst 12 Hour and Spa 24 Hours. They’ve continued this form in 2025, securing podiums in GT World Challenge Asia and are currently leading the championship in Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. We’re looking forward to seeing Dorian alongside Klaus and Patric, forming an excellent line-up, and in a car inspired by an iconic heritage Porsche livery, that can challenge for great results.”