Season Review:

Team principal, Olivier Panis:“For a first season, everything went smoothly. Our foundation is strong and relations among team members are good. We raced on a number of circuits and were pleased with how we did. We chose to work with novices, so it was only normal to make a few mistakes. That’s just part of the learning process. In terms of results, we were on the LM P3 podium at Estoril. In LM P2, we missed out on several podium finishes, but clinched pole position at Red Bull Ring. Overall, we have proved that we mean business and that we can get results. The 24 Hours of Le Mans went well. We had no particular issues there. We finished 8th in the LM P2 class. We can only be pleased with that. If anyone had told me at the beginning of the season we would do so well, I’d definitely have settled for that!”

The driver’s point of view, from Fabien Barthez:“We’ve done really well in LM P2. I enjoyed getting to grips with the Ligier JS P2’s aerodynamics and powerful brakes. I loved it, and learned a lot. During the first eight laps in Navarra, I was scared. I thought “What I am doing here?”  I’ll never forget those laps. I can still see Olivier Panis chuckling, because he knew what a state I’d be in when I got out of the car. It takes you by surprise, physically you have to be prepared, because it’s so fast."

 

The 24 Hours of Le Mans 2016

Olivier Panis:“We knew it would be a difficult race, but we were well prepared. I’ve done Le Mans four times [2008–11], so I knew what to expect. To be honest, the 24 Hours of Le Mans went like a dream. It was pure joy. Everyone played their part to the fullest. It was great. From a people point of view, it was sensational."

Fabien Barthez:“It was fantastic, fabulous. I didn’t want to get out of the car. Le Mans reflected the rest of the season: great teamwork - to me, that’s the most important. The result was good when you think that the team was only six months old in June. We were up against more experienced teams and we did what was expected of us. We couldn’t have hoped for better, to be honest.”

 

How does competing in an iconic race like the 24 Hours of Le Mans compare to winning the football World Cup in 1998?

Fabien Barthez:“You go into it with the same mindset. You have to keep focused. That’s where Olivier and I can help the others. Our team is based on passing on knowledge. And we know a bit about winning too (laughs). We don’t lose sight of the essential, of why we set up the team. Olivier shares his racing experience with the young drivers and I add what I know about competing at the highest level. For example, how not to let outside influences make you nervous by managing your time and the people you’re in contact with in the week before the race."

To be continued...