Motorsport: Neel Jani does not rule out record lap
A year ago, Neel Jani became the first Swiss driver since Jo Siffert in 1968 to take pole position for the 24 Hours of Le Mans - and he did so in a new record time. The Biel native is not ruling out the possibility of doing so again. All 60 vehicles passed technical scrutineering for the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the beginning of the week. On [...]
All 60 vehicles passed scrutineering for the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the start of the week. Practice will continue until midnight on Wednesday and Thursday evenings before Hollywood star Brad Pitt sends the high-caliber field on its journey twice around the clock on Saturday at 3 pm. A year ago, Neel Jani immortalized himself in the annals as pole setter with an absolute record lap. Not since Jo Siffert 38 years ago had a Swiss driver secured the best grid position at Le Mans. There is a good chance that Neel Jani will do the same this week, because the Porsche 919 Hybrid has the potential to do so.
Improvements in aerodynamics and Hybriod system
The 32-year-old from Biel does not even rule out the possibility of beating his own record time. "According to our simulation, we should theoretically come very close to this time. Especially as it would ideally have been a bit faster last year, because I had to overtake one or two cars," Jani hints. "In terms of the technical regulations, which make the LMP1 cars slightly slower at top speed this year, we should lose an average of four seconds per lap. However, thanks to the improved aerodynamics, the further developed hybrid system and the overall efficiency of the 2016 car, we have gained a lot back."
Eurosport 1 broadcasts training and races live around the clock
The success of such a lap depends not only on the traffic at the time of the attempt, but also primarily on the weather in June 2016, which, according to the forecast, is unlikely to be at its best at Le Mans, as in Switzerland. However, pole position is more a matter of prestige for the driver and his manufacturer, as other factors determine the 24-hour race. Neel Jani is not only thinking about reliability, which let him down a year ago, but also about the fierce competition. "All four classes are extremely strong, so most of the teams are racing their own race. I expect a lot of incidents that will trigger yellow flags and influence the race." Like the race, both practice evenings will be broadcast live by free-to-air TV channel Eurosport 1.
www.neel-jani.com
Photos: Porsche
