Michelin Motorsport to join forces with Panis-Barthez Compétition for 2016 ELMS

Olivier Panis (Team Principal): "Our decision to race with Michelin Motorsport fits with Panis-Barthez Compétition’s desire to showcase French industry. I worked on the development of Michelin’s Formula 1 tyres, so I know the company and its staff well. I have always admired their approach to motorsport and the way they put their weight fully behind their partner teams. I would like to thank them for their confidence and I am thrilled to have them on-board with us this season.”

Fabien Barthez (Driver, N°23 Ligier JS P2): "It’s great to been joining forces with a French company whose tyres are reputed for delivering outstanding performance. As a driver, it will be a new experience to work on a development programme with a partner like Michelin. It’s going to be an exciting technical and human challenge. I can’t wait to get started.”

Jérôme Mondain (Manager, Michelin Motorsport’s endurance racing programmes): "Michelin Motorsport is delighted to be working with Panis-Barthez Compétition from the very start of its history. Choosing the right partners is crucial for Michelin, especially in such a fiercely competitive arena as the LM P2 class in the ELMS and at Le Mans which permits open competition between tyre firms. We know the ability of the staff that Panis-Barthez Compétition has recruited and we are confident that they will be a force to be reckoned with, even in their first season. Michelin Motorsport will provide Panis-Barthez Compétition’s Ligier JS P2-Nissan with our latest-generation LM P2 endurance racing tyres. Our engineering team worked hard on their performance and longevity over the winter break. In addition to the sporting stakes, competing alongside quality partners allows us to collect data that can then be dialled into our future road tyres. Our work with Panis-Barthez Compétition fits perfectly with this development process.”

MICHELIN PRESS RELEASE