Porsche has announced the signing of Neel Jani as its first driver for the 2019/20 FIA Formula E Championship.
The German manufacturer is to enter as a constructor in the all-electric series from Season 6 onward and has named its works driver Jani as its first signing. After racing with Porsche in the LMP1 category, Jani will make his single-seater debut with the manufacturer.
“I’m very much looking forward to the new task,” said Jani, upon the announcement. “Being part of an entirely new Porsche Motorsport programme for the second time, right from the beginning, means a lot to me.
“The technical and driving challenges are huge and our strong Formula E opponents have a significant advantage in experience. There is a lot of work ahead of us and I can’t wait for the roll-out.”
This is not Jani’s first time in Formula E as the Swiss racer competed with Dragon Racing in just the one round in the 2017/18 season before parting ways with the American outfit. The 34-year-old returns this time to the series with Porsche to drive the Gen2 car.
Porsche Motorsport’s Vice President, Fritz Enzinger added: “Without doubt, Neel is the right man for our new technologically trendsetting programme. Not only does he contribute speed, but he has a huge amount of single seater experience.
“He has already driven in Formula E and is well established in Weissach as a development driver.” The German manufacturer is gearing up for its debut in 2019/20 with work on-going behind the scenes as the current season starts this weekend in Saudi Arabia.
With the first driver announced, reports in the media suggests the second name as Brendon Hartley, who was recently replaced by Alexander Albon in Toro Rosso’s Formula 1 line-up by Red Bull. The Kiwi’s strong ties with Porsche is said to be the key link.
