Oreca: Panis confident

Olivier, how are you approaching this week at Le Mans?
This week is going to be good, we are ready. The team has worked incredibly hard since the Spa 1000km. The tests at Magny-Cours went well, without any problems. So we arrive confident, even if we don't know what will happen. Last year, it was completely new, we did everything in a hurry. This year, the program is 18 months old: we arrive less tired and more serene.

Current regulations favor Diesel engines. For you who drive a “petrol” car, isn’t that frustrating?
Yes, it is. But we cannot always remain in controversy. The regulations are known. Afterwards, you either come or you don't come. But it?s true that, for next year, despite all the love I have for Le Mans, if the regulations remain as they are, my participation in the 24 Hours will be much more thoughtful. It's a shame but I'm a winner, I'm here to win races. I would like to win Le Mans one day and, at the moment, it's frustrating. We accepted, this year, that it will happen like this so we must not reconsider our decision. But I will follow the evolution of the regulations very closely for next year.

Are you worried about knowing where you stand in relation to other cars?
No, free practice will be a run-in. The goal is to make the car as comfortable as possible for the three drivers, to make a few small adjustments. We will especially see performance in racing. Even the qualifying practices are just a run-in, to have a fun ride. Competitiveness is for this weekend!