Porsche puts LMP1 drivers on its Formula E shortlist

Porsche will look in priority within its own ranks when it chooses its driver line-up for its endeavor into Formula in 2019/20.

The German manufacturer will keep all six of its LMP1 drivers under contract and offer them race programmes for next season although Brendon Hartley is likely to continue racing for Toro Rosso in 2018.

"The idea is that we will continue the history that we have built up with these guys in the next programme," explained Porsche's LMP1 team principal Andreas Seidl.

Seidl indicated however that while Porsche would look in-house first, there will be no guarantees that its two future FE drivers would be chosen from its pool of contracted drivers.

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The German also said that André Lotterer and Neel Jani's current Formula E deals, respectively with Techeetah and Dragon Racing, would not necessarily provide either driver with a right of way, or push them to the top of Porsche's list.

Porsche has yet to provide details on how its entry into Formula E shall be structured, with either an independent works effort or a partnership with an existing team under consideration.

Several of the marque's engineers were present recently at Formula E's pre-season test in Valencia, working alongside members of Jay Penske's Dragon Racing outfit, although the affiliation was not deemed as official by Seidl.

"We had guys in that garage [Dragon's] and we were looking around other garages, too," he explained.

"We used Valencia as an opportunity to have a first look and get an idea of what Formula E is, so that once this season is finished we can create a new structure. Everything is open at the moment."

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