Former Toro Rosso reserve driver and Porsche veteran Neel Jani is ready to affix Audi as their System 1 simulator driver forward of their enterprise into the game in 2026.

Again in October, Audi introduced their plans to affix System 1 in 2026 by taking up the Sauber workforce. They acquired a minority stake in Sauber in January.

The acquisition marked an “necessary milestone” on the way in which to a strategic partnership between the Sauber Group and the German model for 2026 and past. Sauber are set to chop ties with Alfa Romeo on the finish of the 2023 season.

Sauber’s new partnership with Audi is slated to go a lot additional than their relationship with Alfa Romeo, with the 2026 workforce set to change into an Audi works operation. Audi ultimately plan to take a majority stake in Sauber.

Audi plan to create their very own energy unit of their Neuburg, Germany headquarters, whereas Sauber plan to develop and manufacture the automobile of their Hinwil, Switzerland base.

There was loads of hypothesis as to which drivers would possibly compete for Audi as soon as they formally enter System 1 three years from now.

There are fairly a couple of prospects, contemplating the truth that no person actually is aware of who will and gained’t be beneath contract with which present groups that far down the street.

What will probably be attention-grabbing to see is that if Sauber rent a driver (or drivers) for the Audi challenge earlier than they formally enter System 1 in 2026, both for 2024 or 2025.

What Audi have already performed, nonetheless, is known as their first System 1 simulator driver as they develop their energy unit. The 2026 season is ready to see a set of recent engine rules, which performed an enormous function in skyrocketing the producer’s curiosity in becoming a member of the game.

That driver is Neel Jani. The 39-year-old Swiss driver by no means competed in System 1, however he was the reserve driver for Toro Rosso in 2006. He additionally examined for Sauber and Pink Bull prior to now.

Jani gained two races in GP2 in 2005, and he gained the 2007-08 A1 Grand Prix championship with a season which noticed him notch 4 of his 10 profession victories. He additionally competed in Champ Automotive in 2007 and secured three podium finishes.

His newer success features a win within the 2016 24 Hours of Le Mans, which was considered one of two victories en path to profitable the FIA World Endurance Championship that yr, an IMSA SportsCar Championship win final yr at Sebring Worldwide Raceway, and a win to open up the 2023 European Le Mans Sequence season in April at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

Jani has been introduced in purely for developmental functions, that means that Audi will nonetheless want to seek out two drivers for his or her official System 1 debut in 2026. They reportedly have their eyes on a number of potential candidates, however once more, it’s far too early to know who would possibly actually have an opportunity to land one of many two seats.

• Printed on 06/26/2023 at 10:30 AM
• Final up to date at 06/26/2023 at 06:11 AM