Panis: “I’m taking full advantage of it”

Olivier, après avoir piloté pour Toyota, quel sera votre objectif avec Skoda cet hiver ?
The objective is to win races and fight for the trophy, that's obvious. But I know it won't be easy because there are a lot of good drivers, good cars, a new manufacturer. It will be tight, like every year. We're all here for the same thing, even if it's a great, friendly trophy.

Who will be your most serious opponents?
I think there will be many. Obviously, Jean-Philippe (Dayraut), in the same team; Alain Prost because, even if he drives a new car, I know he will perform well; Franck Lagorce; the two Toyotas that we had last year will be on the Andros Trophy with Bertrand Balas, who will be a real driver to beat. Apparently, there will be Didier Thoral on another. I'm forgetting others but, in my opinion, this is going to be the year where there will be the biggest plateau.

How do you stack up in terms of experience?
We can always improve but it will be my fifth winter so I am starting to know the Andros Trophy well. I'll have to acclimate to the car, which is brand new to me. But it will go quickly. Then you have to be on the track at the right time. I think this year we will be able to let go more.

It's already been a long season for you, with the LMS and the GT FFSA and now the Andros Trophy. What feeling does you have at this time of year?
It?s a lot of fun. For me, it gets long when I stay at home long enough, because I get bored quickly. So when I'm in my element, that's when I feel the best and I enjoy it to the fullest. As long as I can still do it, I'll do it to the fullest.

Are we coming to the end of the year? Are you starting to refine the program for your next season?
In 2010, it is certain that I will do the French GT, in GT3 with Eric Debard. It is obvious. I have the Andros Trophy and there is a good chance that next winter I will still be there. Concerning the LMS, I have a discussion tomorrow (Tuesday) with Hugues de Chaunac to find out the program for next year, to find out if I am doing it or not.

The presence of the Peugeot 908 at Oreca may condition your participation in Endurance next season?
Obviously, it's safe. That?s even THE question. Because, given the regulations, as they do not change, if it is to do it with a "gasoline", I will not do it.

What if you don't drive the Peugeot 908 next year?
So no endurance next year.