Neel Jani has announced his return to full-season competition with Duqueine in the European Le Mans Series. He will head up an entirely new LMP2 effort for the French squad. Alongside him in the team’s Oreca 07-Gibson will be Rene Binder and silver-rated teenager Nico Pino.
In 2022, Neel took overall victory at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring with Chip Ganassi Racing, where he stepped in as a late replacement for Kevin Magnussen.
The Swiss driver hasn’t competed in ELMS previously but achieved several podium finishes with Rebellion Racing’s LMP1 squad in the Le Mans Series before it was rebranded in 2012.
While co-driver Binder is an LMP2 regular and has competed frequently in ELMS since 2019, Pino is set to make his LMP2 debut.
The aim for 2023 is clear said Neel Jani: “We want to fight for wins and hopefully for the title at the end of the year. This year’s ELMS field looks very strong and has a lot of good drivers including former World Champions and Le Mans winners, so it will not be a walk in the park. Duqueine has put a lot of effort in to improve the car since last year and has now an all new lineup. We will give it our best shot!”
The ELMS season kicks off with the 4 Hours of Barcelona on April 23.