Neel Jani joins Faraday Future Dragon Racing in Formula E

The American team Faraday Future Dragon Racing, led by Jay Penske, has confirmed the signing of 33-year-old Swiss driver Neel Jani to replace Loïc Duval for the fourth season of the championship. The endurance world champion and winner of the 2016 Le Mans 24 Hours joins the discipline after already having completed tests for the team a few months ago.

This signature is the result of Porsche’s announcement to withdraw from the World Endurance Championship (WEC) at the end of the 2017 season to join the Formula E championship for the 2019-2020 season. It is also possible that the Swiss driver might eventually be part of the Stuttgart brand’s electric program.

Neel Jani stated on this subject: “I am thrilled to join the Faraday Future Dragon Racing team for the upcoming FIA Formula E Championship season.” Before adding: “I recently tested the PENSKE EV-2 powered by Faraday Future and I am eager to gain knowledge and experience with the team and compete in a high-level electric racing series.”

The Swiss driver will join his compatriot Sébastien Buemi in the championship for the opening round of the 2017-2018 season, which will take place in Hong Kong in early December. He will replace the French driver Loïc Duval, who has been with the team since the fifth race of the first season.

The tricolor, who is also racing in DTM following Audi’s withdrawal from the WEC, has not convinced his employer to keep him in the 100% electric series. His future in the discipline is rather unclear, even though other teams might be interested in his services.