Julien Canal: “It would be great to have a final in Portimão”

Already winner of 24 Hours of Le Mans (2010, 2011 and 2012 in GT1 then GTE Am with Larbre Compétition) and the world endurance championship (2012 in GTE Am with Larbre Compétition, in 2015 in LM P2 with G-Drive Racing and in 2017 in LM P2 with Vaillante Rebellion), Julien Canal hopes to add another line to his list of achievements with the European Le Mans Series. With 21 points behind Prema, Panis Racing will however have to hope that events turn in the right direction during the last two races of the season, the 4 Hours of Spa this Sunday then the 4 Hours of Portimão (October 16).

“The start of the weekend is rather positive, Julien Canal told us after the first Free Practice session in Belgium. We had rather good results this Wednesday (during collective testing. Editor’s note) » As in Monza or Barcelona, ​​Le Manceau should be the start person at the wheel of the No. 65 Oreca. “We participate in all these test days which are optional, but obligatory if we want to perform. On Wednesday, we were close to the mark as soon as we put the car on the track. I was very happy with myself, because I was quite close to Nico (Jamin). We tried things that weren't very successful at first, we went back and ended up with a car that was quite good in racing version. »

Panis Racing held “the high ground at Prema”

The Oreca 07 that he shares with Nico Jamin and Job van Uitert has performed well in racing since the start of the season with three podiums in four rounds contested (3rd at Castellet, 2nd at Monza and Barcelona). Only the Imola event resulted in a place outside the box (4th), relegating them a little far from Prema in the ranking. The Italian team can also be titled this Sunday. So what is Panis Racing missing to get ahead of the transalpine prototype this year?

“To be very honest, we lack the budget, explains Julien Canal. The team is very competitive, but we only did two days of testing this year. In Barcelona, ​​in March, we had our first day with three drivers. For Prema, it was their fifth. They also have a car WEC. Compared to our financial, but also human, investment, we are doing very well. The budget is so important that additional test days to fine-tune the settings, put on new bodies, have new tires and brakes more often, these are small tenths that wander left and right, small details who pay at the end of the season. »

Despite this budget deficit compared to Prema, Julien Canal believes that Panis Racing held “the high sugared almond in Prema. » To reverse the trend in the last two races, the French team will have to perform flawlessly while hoping to see the No. 9 prototype get tripped up. “I don't wish that on them, it's not at all the state of mind we have at home. It is certain that on a regular basis, if they are still placed, it will be impossible to win the championship, but that's motorsport, no one is ever safe from anything. So there could be a stroke of bad luck for them at any time, which would restore the cards. It would be great to have a final in Portimão. »

“I feel very good at Panis Racing”

If the task promises to be difficult, the Manceau hopes to offer the title to the team whose colors he has defended since 2018. At 40 years old, Julien Canal has once again shown his burst of speed this season. “I feel very good at Panis Racing, it’s a very family environment. I haven't done many teams in my motorsport career and I don't like to change too much. Everything has been going well for five years, and we are progressing every year, which is great. I would like to win a title with this team, that would be great. With the performances that I manage to maintain, I have a few contacts, but my priority remains Panis Racing which has given me a lot. We learn every race and I love the atmosphere we have in this team. »

Panis Racing's mission to overthrow Prema begins in qualifying this Saturday.

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