Jota Sport and Arden strengthen ties for 2017

Jota has had a mutual co-operation deal with Arden since 2015, and the recent addition of Arden engineer Ashley Edwards to the #37 crew at Monza for the official prologue test last weekend is set to continue for at least Silverstone and Spa.

“We are combining Jota and Arden’s capabilities to further accelerate the engineering strength for the WEC programme with Jackie Chan DC Racing X JOTA this season,” said Jota director Sam Hignett.

“As similar sized and resourced companies, we have been co-operating for the last two seasons but this is one of the most visible ways in which we can pool together our know-how and benefit from extending a strong engineering ethos in our two-car programme in WEC this season.

“Julian [Rouse, Arden team manager] and I share the same principles in meeting very high standards to be top private teams, so it makes sense for us to share and maximise this engineering skill.”

Edwards, who has previous experience in Superleague Formula, F3, Formula 3.5 and GP3, has some prior experience at Le Mans, but has been embedded in the LMP2 WEC team to enhance the already-strong technical ability within the two-car Jota run Oreca-Gibson effort in 2017.

“It was interesting to attend the test with the Jackie Chan DC Racing X JOTA guys last week, and although the weather spoilt one of the days it was still very productive,” said Edwards.

“The focus is on further understanding the new LMP2 class and how to maximise the average speed across the three drivers which, as always, will be the key this season.

“I know Tristan [Gommendy] well from my Superleague Formula days, so it was great to work with him again and to be reminded of what a great professional he is.”

The Jackie Chan DC Racing X JOTA duo of Oreca-Gibsons will be in action for the first time this season at the 6 Hours of Silverstone, the first round of the 2017 FIA WEC season, next weekend.