Tech 1 and Panis-Barthez Competition with Lexus RC F GT3s

After'ELMS and 24 Hours of Le Mans, Panis-Barthez Competition and Tech 1 Racing will launch a new challenge in 2019, with a program in Blancpain GT Series.

Olivier Panis' team, and the structure of Simon and Sarah Abadie, will compete in GT World Challenge Europe (formerly Sprint Cup) and in Endurance Cup (including the 24 Hours of Spa) this year, with the Lexus RC F GT3, who started at the end of 2017 in the SRO series before playing the full season in 2018 with the Emil Frey Racing.

The latter announced last week its commitment to Lamborghini Squadra Corse for 2019, leaving the Lexus clan orphaned by the team which has long led the development of the car, winner of the Paul-Ricard 1000 km last June.

“We are aware of the scale of the challenges that await us, advances Simon Abadie, Team Manager of Tech 1 Racing and Panis-Barthez Compétition. We are going to discover one of the toughest and most competitive categories in the world and we will have to take the measure of our new car, a new tire manufacturer and new opponents.

However, I know how combative my team is and we will do everything we can to make our colors and those of Lexus shine. It is a pride and an honor to embark on this adventure with a manufacturer such as Lexus.

This represents a big step forward for the entire team. We will do everything to live up to Lexus' confidence in this new challenge that the team is eager to take on. »

The crews and categories chosen by PB Compétition-Tech 1 Racing have not yet been defined, even if the Silver Cup could be one of the favored tracks.