Panis: “Take up a big challenge”

Four Peugeot 908 HDi FAP will be present this year at Le Mans, as in 2009. Olivier Panis and Nicolas lapierre will have the responsibility of piloting the “private 908”, allocated by Peugeot Sport to the Var Oreca team. From then on, the challenge of driving the victorious car of the last 24 Hours of Le Mans is a big one for Olivier Panis, who sees his wish granted to drive a car capable of winning.

« My physical preparation was intense, confides Olivier Panis on the Oreca blog. I am preparing to take on a big challenge, with a lot of responsibilities. We have a chance, we must seize it! So I may have prepared a little differently, because the constraints will certainly not be the same. I took things head on. Now I can't wait to ride! »

At the beginning of the month, the former pilot of F1 was able to climb aboard his new mount to mold his seat. “ Getting into the 908 HDi FAP, I must say it was nice, adds the Grenoblois. Was it an emotional moment? It really is a magnificent car. The environment is obviously different from an open proto. It surprised me with its simplicity: in fact, Peugeot has designed a very operational cockpit, very functional and which seems easy to use and understand. »

The Oreca driver will be able to get used to his new environment, since a first handling is planned for February 23 on the Paul-Ricard circuit in Castellet, near the Oreca workshops, before the official Le Mans Series tests of March 7-8, still at Paul-Ricard.