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Porsche's Neel Jani joins Formula E with Dragon Racing

Porsche works driver and Le Mans winner Neel Jani is heading to Formula E, joining Faraday Future Dragon Racing for the all-electric series' 2017/18 season.

Jani will partner Belgian Jerome D'Ambrosio who will remain with Jay Penske's squad for a third year.

"I am thrilled to join the Faraday Future Dragon Racing team in the next season of the FIA Formula E Championship," said Neel Jani.

"I’ve recently tested the PENSKE EV-2 powered by Faraday Future and look forward to building my knowledge and experience with the team and competing in the acclaimed electric racing series."

Jani won Le Mans in 2016, alongside Porsche team mates Romain Dumas and Marc Lieb, in a banner year which saw the Swiss driver also clinch the WEC title with the German manufacturer.

Formula E is no short term 'fad', insists Porsche

Porsche has pulled out of the world endurance championship and committed to Formula E from the 2019/20 season.

Jani's hiring by Dragon is perhaps a way for the manufacturer to collect practical information and prepare one of its works drivers before entering the burgeoning series.

He will make his race debut in Hong Kong on December 1-2.

"As a team, we have set our target of winning races and competing for the championship in the coming season, and Neel was an essential component of that equation," said team boss Jay Penske.

"When you look at the best drivers in the world, from both a racing and car development perspective, Neel is at the top of the list. He’s an excellent fit within our programme."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.