Wehrlein replaces Jani at Porsche Formula E team
Porsche has signed former Formula 1 driver Pascal Wehrlein for the 2020/21 Formula E season, replacing Neel Jani in its driver line-up.
Wehrlein moved to Formula E in the 2018/19 season with Mahindra, scoring a pole position and a podium finish in his debut season en route to 12th in the drivers’ championship.
He stayed with Mahindra for a second season in 2019/20, but stepped down from his seat prior to the final six races of the season in Berlin.
The German driver was widely expected to join Porsche for the Weissach manufacturer’s second season in Formula E, and the move was officially announced on Friday, just over 12 hours after the conclusion of the 2019/20 season.
Wehrlein will team up with Andre Lotterer, who has been retained for a second campaign after being recruited from DS Techeetah, replacing Jani.
He joins Porsche after an impressive career that includes winning the 2015 DTM title with Mercedes and a two-year stint in Formula 1 with Manor and Sauber in 2016-2017.
“It is a great honour for me to represent Porsche in the 2020/2021 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship,” Wehrlein said.
“I have always followed the brand’s unique motorsport history. I have huge respect for the legendary Porsche success story. Now, to line up as a works driver for the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team is a fantastic opportunity.
"I would like to thank everyone at Porsche for this amazing opportunity and for trusting in my skills. Now I am looking forward to getting to know the team and starting work in Weissach as quickly as possible.”
Porsche finished eighth in the teams' standings in its maiden campaign in Formula E, with a pair of second place finishes courtesy of Lotterer. Lotterer himself finished eighth in the drivers’ championship, tied on points with Jaguar’s Mitch Evans.
Jani meanwhile endured a difficult season in the sister 99X Electric, scoring a single points finish all year long - a sixth place result in the final double-header at Berlin.
While Jani has been dropped from the Formula E team, the 36-year-old driver will remain a factory Porsche driver, having won the Le Mans 24 Hours with the marque in 2016.
“We are delighted to welcome Pascal to the Porsche family,” Fritz Enzinger, Porsche's vice-president of motorsport said. “He has gained a lot of experience in different race series at his young age, where he has always sparkled.
“We would also like to thank Neel Jani for his outstanding commitment. He played a significant part in the development of our Formula E project and thereby contributed greatly to the successes of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team this past season.
“Neel will stay with Porsche. We will see him in action in future motorsport projects again very soon which I’m very pleased about.
“With Pascal and Andre we will have two experienced, top-class Formula E drivers in the 2020/2021 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, who have everything it takes to celebrate further success.”
Previous article
Vandoorne hails maiden Mercedes 1-2 as “dream scenario”
Next article
Behind the Race: Rowland and Vandoorne break through with wins
About this article
| Series | Formula E |
| Drivers | Pascal Wehrlein |
| Teams | Porsche Team |
| Author | Rachit Thukral |
How Vergne and Vandoorne found redemption in Rome
Another Formula E double-header, another double dose of frantic action. While the form guide remains unpredictable following fightback wins for Jean-Eric Vergne and Stoffel Vandoorne in Rome, the speed and consistency of Mercedes – both on and off the track – could have its rivals worried for what is to follow
What Nissan's commitment to Gen3 reveals about Formula E's future
Formula E's Gen3 era grid continues to take shape, after Nissan opted to commit to the series for another four years. Nissan's global chief operating officer explains why it has thrown its lot in with FE while other high-profile marques have decided to call it quits.
Why the new Formula E season got off to such a controversial start
With the new Formula E season belatedly getting underway in Saudi Arabia, the championship appeared to try to make up for lost time with an overspill of action and controversy on and off the track. While some talking points could have serious repercussions, it was an explosive opener for many reasons.
The eight major plotlines to watch in Formula E 2021
The delayed 2020-21 Formula E season gets underway this week with a double-header in Saudi Arabia. The testing times were too close to call a favourite, but that's not the only area of interest to follow as the championship enters a crucial year
Why Formula E's 2021 season will be a crucial litmus test
As off-track politics threatens to overshadow events on it, the upcoming Formula E season is perhaps its most important since the championship's inception. And that's a shame, given that the focus should be on what promises to be its closest title fight yet.
How Mercedes and Porsche can avoid a difficult second FE album
Mercedes and Porsche compete to win and have done so across the board: in Formula 1, sportscars, the Dakar Rally and endurance road races - even working together to break land speed records. Next in the crosshairs is the Formula E teams' championship crown.
What Formula E must do for McLaren to act on its attraction
News that McLaren is formally considering a Formula E move is a much-needed boost for a series that took some punches at the end of 2020. But to allay any doubts that Zak Brown may have, FE must take action on its biggest potential stumbling block
Why BMW and Audi have pulled the plug on Formula E
BMW and Audi shocked the Formula E fraternity by announcing their departures at the end of the 2020-21 season. Overnight, the championship has been dealt something of a "wake-up call" - including questions about its relevance to manufacturers.
