The Jani family has racing in their DNA. Father Mukesh Jani was a racer and an avid driving enthusiast who has driven across continents. Now son Neel, whose mother is Swiss, has made a name for himself internationally as a race driver.
The talented driver has driven in several series like the A1 GP for Team Switzerland, GP2, Le Mans LMP1 series, Champ Car series in America and has also been the test and reserve driver for Formula One team Toro Rosso. DNA spoke to him about his racing career when he was in Bangalore. Excerpts:
What do you think of the Indian motorsport scene?
There is certainly a lot happening with Karun Chandhok in Formula One and Narain Karthikeyan in America. The Indian GP is coming up next year and that is a very big event for India. That is good news for motorsport in India.
You have raced in GP2, tested in F1, been a winner in A1 GP and raced in Champ Car. Which is your favourite?
I think every series has positives and negatives. I had a very nice time in A1 GP because I won the world championship title, or I would say that is my biggest achievement so far. I had a nice time in American Champ Car, very good season there with podium finishes. I had a good time in Formula One too but I did not want to be a test driver, I want to be a race driver. That is something we are still working on..
How different will it be racing in the FIA GT1 as compared to open wheel racing?
It is definitely a big step for me because I so far have always driven in open wheel. I am currently driving in LMP1, which are prototype cars in Le Mans. Speedwise, they are the same and in fact quicker on the straight line. GT is something I have never driven in, so that will be something new. I will be driving the Ford GT car, a very famous one. It is an official world championship and I will be driving against Lamborghini, Corvette, Nissan. It is a high-class championship and I am looking forward to the experience. It came so quickly that there was no time to prepare. I will be flying out of Bangalore and directly to the race in Spa (Belgium). I’ll just have to adapt and learn very quickly. If you are talented, I think it should take you no longer than two races.
What about your ambitions in F1?
F1 ambitions are always there. I know there are many drivers in F1 now whom I have beaten already in A1 GP, GP2 or Formula Renault. It’s just a question of when, how and what team. It’s very difficult because there are not many slots left. At the moment, unfortunately, money talks a bit too much. It makes things difficult for people without big sponsors. When I did the simulator test for Force India and if you see lap times, it went pretty well. I was quickest on a high-fuel simulation and second quickest on a low-fuel simulation. I thought it was pretty reasonable but they chose otherwise. Comparing performances, I think I measure up pretty well. We are in India to talk to people about my F1 career.
