After announcing the arrival of Austrian driver René Binder, Panis-Barthez Compétition has continued its recruitment drive for the 2019 season with British driver Will Stevens (27) once again taking the wheel of the #23 Ligier JS P217-Gibson. Stevens has competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on three occasions, with his highest-placed finish coming in 2016 – second in the LMP2 class at the wheel of G-Drive Racing’s Oreca 05-Nissan. “Keeping Will Stevens aboard was a top priority,” Team Principal Olivier Panis said. “I have been so impressed by him, his speed and his commitment. I have rarely seen a professional driver share so much information with his teammates. He spends hours in front of data to improve the car. Will played a massive team leader role in 2018, ensuring serenity and a great atmosphere among us,” Panis continued.

Stevens added: “I’m very happy to stay with Panis-Barthez Compétition next year. We showed in 2018 how strong we are together, and the great results we had at the end of the season motivated me to stay. We have a job to continue and to finish. […] Of course, I have Le Mans in mind, as we were the closest competitors to G-Drive last year. I can’t wait to race there again with all the team.”

Panis-Barthez Compétition will enter the European Le Mans Series for the 2019 season and is hoping to make a fourth appearance in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Quotes courtesy of the team press release