Every year, one of the teams entered for the 24 Hours of Le Mans is appointed ambassador of the charity that ensures heart operations for children in developing countries. The ACO has been a supporter of the operation for the last seven years. Patrick Dempsey was the first to promote the interests of the charity when he raced a Ferrari F430 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2009.

On 18–19 June this year, the #23 Ligier JS P2-Nissan fielded by Panis-Barthez Compétition will bear the Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque logo. Joint team-owner Fabien Barthez will be joined by young drivers Paul-Loup Chatin and Timothé Buret at the wheel. The partnership covers the next four rounds of the European Le Mans Series. Panis Barthez Compétition has made a promising start, taking the lead in the first two races at Silverstone and Imola.

Olivier Panis: “I had the pleasure of supporting Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque as a driver. This fits in totally with the humanitarian approach we have at Panis Barthez Compétition. Knowing they represent Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque will make our drivers put their whole heart into every race."

Fabien Barthez: “When we visited some young convalescents whose lives had been saved thanks to Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque, the concept of “winning” took on a whole new meaning.

Photo (Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque - Rémi Blomme): Renaud Derlot (Team Manager of Paniz Barthez Compétition), Olivier Panis, Paul-Loup Chatin, Fabien Barthez and Timothé Buret meet a few children who have received treatment thanks to Mécénat Chirurgie Cardiaque.