Panis: “We don’t want instructions”

Olivier Panis, whose objective is still to win the Andros Trophy, started the day well in St Dié des Vosges. During the first race, the Grenoblois finished fourth in the qualifying heats, before finding himself in the final against Franck Lagorce. The two men, teammates and friends, however, did not make a procession since, starting second, Panis overtook Lagorce in order to claim victory. The former pilot of F1 explains that he has no embarrassment in this type of situation.

“It was good to make the final with him,” he explains for AUTOhebdo.fr. He tried technical settings that will be useful for the rest of the day, which meant that I was better than him in the slow sectors and on the tarmac. I had the door open to a tarmac sector. As we are teammates and friends, he did not insist. Especially since winning the final gives me one more point and he doesn't lose his second place (in the scratch ranking). It?s the spirit of competition above all. I think it was a very nice moment for the spectators; for us, in the car, it was great. »

At the age of 40, the two men know how to handle this type of situation and no longer need to be called to order by their team. “With Franc, we have been very clear since the start of the season. It made me very happy that he arrived at Skoda but I knew he would be a formidable opponent. This is what motivates me and what pulls us up. I think the title race will last until the end. I won't give up, just like Franck won't give up. We don't want any race instructions because both are capable of winning; neither should be killed. We'll do the math at the end. That?s what racing is all about. »