Matthieu Vaxiviere at Panis Racing at Le Mans

See Matthieu Vaxiviere absent from the entries in the 24 Hours of Le Mans seemed strange, as the French driver demonstrated his qualities in 2019.

He got on the podium at Le Mans with TDS Racing with the bonus of the fastest lap in the race, but also had the podium at Sebring or at Petit Le Mans in IMSA with Wayne Taylor Racing.

But the 25-year-old Limougeaud will participate in his fourth Le Mans event, in the No. 07 Panis Racing Oreca 31. Vaxiviere had known the team of Simon and Sarah Abadie, associated with Olivier Panis, during his adventure in Formula Renault 2.0 under the Tech 1 banner.

« I know them very well. Beyond their competitive spirit, I particularly appreciate the human character that reigns within their team” rejoices Vaxiviere. “I have also been very close to Olivier Panis for years, in short, I will be “with family”! »

He joins his two friends who run full time in ELMS, Julien Canal, double champion WEC in LMP2 and Nicolas Jamin, spearhead of Duqueine Engeneering last year. “My 11th participation in the 24 Hours of Le Mans looks very good, the team is ready” smiles Julien Canal.

“With Nico, we have really been in sync since the start of the ELMS season and I have known Matthieu for many years having worked alongside him during our participation in the WEC. I also had a great time with him during physical training courses. »

The Canal-Jamin duo has just scored a podium at Spa. “We already have a great line-up in ELMS with Nico Jamin and Julien Canal who, alongside Will Stevens, show all their talent on the track. The latter being entered in the WEC with Jota Sport, he cannot be part of our Le Mans adventure. » comments Olivier Panis, the team principal.

The team finally wants to get a good result at Le Mans. “ We have shown in past years that we are capable of great things, this time it must be concrete at the finish, the team deserves it. »

In four participations, the team has never achieved a Top 5. In recent years, it has notably been penalized by the Ligier JSP217, well below the Oreca 07. This season, the team has taken the step towards Oreca and fights on equal terms with the best teams. The objective is therefore victory.