Rebellion: Uncertain future of Beche
GRADENFRIST In March, the World Endurance Championship continues at Sebring. For the first time, Neel Jani and Mathias Beche will share one of the two Rebellion LMP1s. After that, Beche's future is uncertain. In January, Rebellion Racing announced the new arrival of Nathanaël Berthon. The Frenchman with plenty of experience in various series will contest the last three races of the WEC SuperSeason [...]
In January, Rebellion Racing announced the addition of Nathanaël Berthon. The Frenchman with a wealth of experience in various series will contest the last three races of the 2018/19 WEC SuperSeason, starting with the 1000 miles of Sebring in March.
Berthon is also scheduled to drive for the Swiss-flagged LMP1 privateer team from England for the 2019/20 season, which will once again span several years. Apparently, the Frenchman managed by former GP driver Olivier Panis brings money. However, Rebellion is not communicating who Berthon will replace.
Beche replaces Lotterer
On the other hand, the team announced that Mathias Beche will replace André Lotterer in the number 1 car at Sebring. The German gives priority to simulator work with DS Techeetah in Formula E.
Beche is therefore switching from the number 3 Rebellion to the other LMP1 car. For the 32-year-old from Geneva, this can only mean that he will have to vacate his seat after the next race in Florida when Lotterer is available again.
Surprised
Beche himself has not been informed about this, but makes these thoughts.
Mathias Beche: "I was told that Berthon was coming. I was surprised. I actually have an existing contract for the whole WEC season. But of course it's Rebellion's decision."
Why he, of all people, should be replaced is beyond him.
Mathas Beche: "I've been driving for Rebellion for six years. I do good work, set fast lap times, don't have any accidents and am currently third in the world championship. And now I don't know if I'll also be racing at Spa and Le Mans. I don't understand it."
Not much Swissness anymore
Neel Jani and Mathias Beche are still the only Swiss drivers at Rebellion. So far, they have never driven the same car.
The first could also be the last. Jani will presumably concentrate fully on the Formula E entry with Porsche starting in the fall. Therefore, Beche could well replace Jani. If he were to stop driving for Rebellion after all, there would be nothing left Swiss except for team investors Alexandre Pesci and Calim Bouhadra.
