Motorsport: New teammates for Neel Jani
As suspected, Porsche is reshuffling its LMP1 squad for 2017. World champion Neel Jani will defend his title next year with Marcel Fässler's previous Audi partner André Lotterer and Briton Nick Tandy. First, however, he will travel from one championship celebration to another. Time is the most precious commodity for Neel Jani at the moment. Practically every day and [...]
Time is the most precious commodity for Neel Jani at the moment. Virtually every day and evening is taken up with an event. The most important celebration took place on December 2, where the Bernese driver accepted the trophy for winning the World Endurance Championship at the FIA Gala in Vienna. It was one of the last joint appearances with Romain Dumas and Marc Lieb, who have to vacate their places in the cockpit of the Porsche 919 Hybrid. Their performances were good, but too inconsistent compared to the Swiss, who is quick as an arrow everywhere and at all times. Next season, his third as a Porsche works driver, Neel Jani will be joined at the wheel by André Lotterer and Nick Tandy. Lotterer was previously Marcel Fässler's partner at Audi. With him and Benoît Tréluyer, the German-Belgian won at ten WEC rounds (record) and three times at Le Mans. Nicky Tandy from England won with the third factory Porsche at Le Mans in 2015.
Star guest at the ASS master party in Bern
"Now André has a Swiss teammate again," smiles Neel Jani. He has known him quite well for a long time, despite the fact that his employers have been different up to now. "I think we make an exciting combination. André is one of the fastest and Nick has also proven his speed many times. We will harmonize quickly and certainly perform strongly." On December 8, Neel Jani will celebrate his 33rd birthday at home, and the following day he will be the star guest at the national championship celebration of Auto Sport Schweiz ASS at the Bellevue Palace in Bern. 16 years ago, Neel Jani became the youngest Swiss champion ever by winning the Formula A-Lista Junior Championship. He then embarked on his international career, which culminated so far in 2016. It would be a surprise if this scion of national motorsport - his father Mukesh already raced in Switzerland - were not presented with this year's ASS Award, the honorary prize of our sporting sovereignty, on Friday evening.
www.neel-jani.com
Photos: FIA, Archive
