Breaking news
WEC
Lotterer not ready to follow Jani out of WEC
Andre Lotterer says he understands Rebellion teammate Neel Jani’s decision to leave the FIA World Endurance Championship after this season – but isn’t ready to follow suit.
Jamie Klein Alex Kalinauckas
Edited: Apr 9, 2019, 8:58 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Jani told Motorsport.com during last month’s Sebring 1000 Miles race that the current 2018/19 superseason will be his last in the WEC, as he switches his full focus on his works Porsche Formula E drive in season six.
The Swiss driver also cited Toyota’s current domination of the LMP1 field and Rebellion’s inability to challenge as an additional factor that informed his decision.
Three-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Lotterer, who combines his Rebellion WEC commitments with a DS Techeetah FE drive, said he sympathised with Jani’s reasoning.
“I can understand,” Lotterer told Motorsport.com. “I’m in Formula E and I know how much work it takes, how much commitment.
“I guess it’s the right choice to show commitment, and with Porsche, maybe that’s what they wanted as well.
“At the moment, it’s difficult to have a chance to win in WEC with Toyota dominating everything. I think with his results, when things change, he can go back.”
Asked if he could follow Jani’s lead and quit the WEC after the current season, Lotterer replied: “Let’s see. I keep my options open.
“I love Le Mans and it’s a fantastic race and I’d like to keep participating. At the moment, it’s difficult to even challenge [Toyota]. You cannot participate [in the fight for the win].
“It’s a difficult time at the moment for the FIA and the ACO but maybe things change and I still want to keep a foot in there.
“I still want to chase a few more Le Mans wins and hopefully I will have a car for it.”
Toyota WEC driver Jose Maria Lopez, who also races in FE with Dragon Racing, said he found Jani’s decision “fully understandable” but added that the state of play in the LMP1 category is not likely to change soon.
“In my position of course I’m very lucky to be with two very good programmes and I’m happy to do two different things that keep me motivated,” said Lopez.
“[Jani] has been in endurance for many years, he’s been in official programmes and maybe today he doesn’t have the possibility to fight at the front and he needs to give priority to FE.
“For sure the [WEC] organisation is working to bring more manufacturers, to make things better. But it takes time, it’s not easy.
**“**I really hope it gets better and we have more competition.”
#7 Toyota Gazoo Racing Toyota TS050: Mike Conway, Jose Maria Lopez, Kamui Kobayashi
Photo by: JEP / LAT Images
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Did ‘Super Sebring’ mark a new dawn for WEC-IMSA relations?
Next article WEC drops moveable aero from 2020/21 rules
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jamie Klein
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
More from
Neel Jani
Estre, Jani praise revisions to "fairer" Le Mans qualifying format
WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Estre, Jani praise revisions to "fairer" Le Mans qualifying format
Jani explains fix for bizarre Porsche door problem while leading WEC Spa race
WEC
WEC
Spa
Jani explains fix for bizarre Porsche door problem while leading WEC Spa race
Daytona 24h: Derani unleashes track record to capture pole for Cadillac
IMSA
IMSA
Daytona 24 Hours
Daytona 24h: Derani unleashes track record to capture pole for Cadillac
More from
Rebellion Racing
Rebellion boss takes over Dumas' car after Dakar shakedown fire
Dakar
Dakar
Dakar
Rebellion boss takes over Dumas' car after Dakar shakedown fire
Toyota "surprised in two directions" by Rebellion pace
WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Toyota "surprised in two directions" by Rebellion pace
Rebellion has "no chance" of win unless Toyota slips up
WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Rebellion has "no chance" of win unless Toyota slips up
Latest news
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 33 min
Barnes: Why IndyCar’s updated licensing system fails its own integrity test
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
1 h
Why NASCAR is not penalizing Stenhouse, McDowell for post-race theatrics
Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup 3 h
Dale Jr. explains why he doesn't use 'Earnhardt' in his signature
NASCAR to allow brake rotor and pad changes after Phoenix qualifying
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
3 h
NASCAR to allow brake rotor and pad changes after Phoenix qualifying
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe