Focus on the 2016 season of Panis-Barthez Competition: Interview with Olivier Panis

At the end of the season, the team was standing in 8^th position of the LMP2 teams with 27.5 points. The car was often at the front including one pole position at the Red Bull Ring (Austria). Concerning the LMP3, the team ended the season in 7^th place with 30.5 points with a podium in Imola (3^rd position).

We have met with Olivier Panis for a review of the team’s first season and to ask about the projects for 2017.

2016 review: “Everything went well for the first year of the team. The foundations and the spirit of the team are really good. Concerning the performance, they were really good at almost every track. We trusted our drivers, some with limited experience, and it’s obvious that some mistakes were made. It’s part of the apprenticeship. Concerning the results, we scored a podium in Imola in LMP3 and we could have done some in LMP2. Nevertheless, we had a pole position in the Red Bull Ring. At least we showed that we were a serious team with strong performance. The 24 Hours of Le Mans went well as well with no troubles and an 8^th position in LMP2. We had a really good season.”

What can be improved for the team in 2017: “With Renaud (Derlot), Simon and Sarah Abadie (Team Manager), we have seen a few things during the year. So we are going to make some changes in the team, but nothing big. At every race, we have improved and we will do an overview of the season soon with all the team. We did good thing in a lot of field but we have to be better in all the fields. So we will insist on the little details that can sometimes make time to improve. We won’t make big changes as the team is serious and professional. “

What can be improved among the drivers for 2017: “All of our drivers, except Paul Loup (Chatin) that had some experience, were beginners. The relationship between them was really good and they all did what they had to do. Some of them were just astonishing such as Timothé Buret that didn’t have experience. Now, to win some races, we have to make a step further and this is at that point that we will see if they can make it or not. We didn’t make any decision concerning the drivers for 2017. We have tested Franck Matelli. He did Formula 4 and has a good sponsorship to help him. This is a young driver that has really good qualities so we will see. Simon Gachet wants to do LMP2 which is legitimate. Valentin Moinault keeps improving and another year in LMP3 is a good opportunity, he deserves it. Concerning Eric (Debard), he has a lot of fun and is one of the strong members of the team. We can count on him and he raises the team upwards.”

The 2017 season: “We will do the European Le Mans Series and the 24 Hours of Le Mans if we are selected. We will start with one car, a Ligier JS P217. Concerning a second car, we are thinking to others possibilities but nothing has been decided yet. One thing is sure; it’s that we won’t put in danger the team for another LMP2.  We will know at the end of the year. Concerning the FIA WEC, we will need the help of a manufacturer or a big sponsor. For now, it’s not for us. As long as we didn’t win the ELMS, I don’t know why we will compete in the FIA WEC. We have to stay modest and build something strong. We have 3 years, and we won’t go in FIA WEC before. Of course we also think about the LMP3 which is really good for the young drivers to go in LMP2 after. “

The ELMS: “It’s a great championship, the quality of the drivers is impressive and the teams are really strong. And it allows us to compete in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which is the cherry on the cake. We really like this championship that suits us.”