Like Julien Canal, Will Stevens has a very solid reputation in endurance racing. Canal has won Le Mans three times in GT as well as two FIA Endurance LMP2 Trophies. Stevens won the race in 2016 with G-Drive Racing as one of the fastest drivers in the LMP2 field before going on to claim the top step in the LMGTE Am class at the 2017 24 Hours.

Will Stevens: "I have done a lot of GT stuff over the past few years. I had some good results with Audi so I could compete in the 2017 24 Hours with JMW Motorsport, a team I know very well. I did more GT racing last year and in 2018 I am back in LMP2 with Panis Barthez Competition. I also know Olivier very well. Both of us have a story in Formula 1, it is great to work with such an experienced team manager with such a great experience. Obviously as a driver you always want to be with a manufacturer on a full-time basis. That said, the level is very high in LMP2 and LMGTE Pro, and the battle will be once again intense this year in both categories."

In joining Panis-Barthez Compétition, Canal has added another major LMP2 team to a brilliant career that includes G-Drive Racing (2014-2015) and Vaillante Rebellion (2017). Julien Canal: "I prefer building relationships that last, but Rebellion Racing made the decision to return to LMP1, and I can understand that. With Panis Barthez Compétition, I've known Simon Abadie (a team manager, Ed.) for 15 years, we did karting together. Your performance on the track matters, of course, but your relationships within a team are just as important. You spend a lot of time with these people. Timothé (Buret, Ed.) is young and fast, and Will joins us from Formula 1. I've spent time with Will and he's a really likable guy."