Neel Jani, a seasoned veteran in the FIA World Endurance Championship, has expressed his dismay over the abrupt collapse of his anticipated partnership with Proton Competition to continue racing the Porsche 963. The Swiss driver, who had eagerly committed to the Proton project from its inception in mid-2023, now faces an unexpected year on the sidelines, a shocking twist for someone so dedicated to the sport.
This disappointing turn of events comes on the heels of Porsche’s strategic decision to withdraw its factory Penske-run operation from the WEC, a move that forced Proton to rethink its plans for a second car. Jani had envisioned a thriving collaboration that would see him racing alongside his Proton teammates, yet this dream was shattered when the joint effort failed to materialize.
Reflecting on this unexpected setback, Jani stated, “I definitely won’t be in the WEC next year. But for a long time [the chances of Proton staying on the grid] looked very good, as everything was in place and there was great support from many sides, including the ACO.” His optimism was palpable as he noted the positivity radiating from Christian Ried, the team leader, and the encouraging signals from various stakeholders. However, the rug was pulled out from under him when Porsche ultimately decided not to sustain its presence in the WEC, a decision that significantly impacted Proton’s customer support.
Proton’s journey with the Porsche 963 had its moments of glory, achieving a commendable fifth place at last year’s Spa race. Yet, the 2025 season saw a stark decline in performance, with the No. 99 car, shared by Jani, Nico Varrone, and Nico Pino, only managing to scrape together a single point with a tenth-place finish at the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo. The season proved to be a harsh reality check for Porsche, largely due to the infamous Balance of Performance challenges that plagued the team.
Jani reminisced about the team’s initial successes, saying, “We had some very good moments, even in the first year. We were not that far off the Penske cars already in 2023.” However, the sudden and inexplicable widening of the performance gap between Proton and Penske in 2024 left him puzzled. What once was a mere two-tenths difference ballooned to eight-tenths, an alarming shift that raised eyebrows. Jani pointed out that the lack of testing opportunities for privateer teams like Proton made understanding the car’s intricacies a formidable challenge, especially with the major updates to the front suspension that were difficult to grasp without extensive track time.
Although Jani’s departure from the WEC is a bitter pill to swallow, he is far from finished in the world of motorsport. The 42-year-old is gearing up for a packed 2026, diving deep into simulator work with the new Audi Formula 1 team while also competing in the Indian Racing League and the Ultimate European Cup European Series for Cogemo Racing. Furthermore, he hinted at the possibility of participating in one-off outings in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, keeping the door open for future racing endeavors.
Jani’s story is a reminder of the unpredictable nature of motorsport, where commitments can evaporate in an instant, leaving dedicated athletes to navigate the tumultuous waters of change. The racing community will undoubtedly be watching closely as Jani seeks new opportunities and strives to make his mark in the upcoming seasons.
