Julien Canal continues with Panis-Barthez Compétition

After a first campaign with the Panis-Barthez Competition in 2018, Julien Canal will remain involved with the team founded by Olivier Panis and Fabien Barthez and managed by Team Managers Simon and Sarah Abadie.

The 36-year-old Frenchman will return to the #217 Ligier JS P23 in 2019 in ELMS, with a slightly modified crew since if Will Stevens will once again be the leading driver, René Binder will replace Timothé Buret. However, a second car will be entered in the European season, the crew to be confirmed in the coming days.

“By taking stock of 2018 with Olivier Panis and Simon Abadie, and noting the steps taken as well as Ligier’s growing objectives, working together again this season was obvious., comments Julien Canal. I am therefore very happy to leave with the Panis-Barthez Compétition team, my motivation and my desire to give the maximum of myself for the team and for the brand are very strong. With Will and René we have only one goal: victory. »

Victory and titles, Julien Canal knows the flavor, he who has quite a track record to his credit, including three class victories in GT1 and GTE Am at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, or two LM P2 titles in WEC in 2015 (G-Drive Racing) and 2017 (Vaillante Rebellion). 2018, however, was a little less successful, with a second place as the best result in ELMS during the Portuguese final.

If the Panis-Barthez Compétition entry is validated by the ACO, we should therefore see Manceau back at work on the 24 Hours track next June.