Which role is harder for you? Driver or team manager? 

"Without hesitation, team manager! One has drivers to manage as well as mechanics and an enterprise."

Which role results in the most consequences when a mistake is made?

"As a driver, if you mess up it's frustrating for you but also for the entire team. The other side is the same: if there is a technical problem and the driver comes back and it's not his fault, you feel badly. When it's an experienced driver, he understands right away, that's motorsports. For the younger drivers, you have to explain to them, tell them it's not an exact science. That's a different approach."

You had a reputation as a fine technician when you were a driver. Are you the liaison between the drivers and the engineers or do you keep out of it?

"I follow and keep an eye on the team. Drivers' minds are on the cockpit, but my view is more macro. Every evening we do a debriefing and at that time I share what I've noticed. That's where I am with it. I speak a lot with the mechanics. Now I'm moving into the technical and strategic areas. I am trying to get more involved. But I leave a lot of room to the engineers because I believe everyone should stay in their place. We recruited Pierre Dieudonné who has more endurance experience than anyone. He brings a lot of calmness to the team. We have known how to delegate and surround ourselves with competent people. It's our first year, there are difficulties but we are learning."

To figure on the list of competitors entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans under one's own name, how does that affect you?

"It's awesome, just wonderful! It's the message we pass on to the young drivers: learn! For me, I am stressed like I was when I debuted because it's different but I am incredibly happy to be here. We were lucky to be invited by the ACO, for us it's a privilege."

What is most challenging: team manager, driver or father of Aurélien Panis (who races in Formula V8 3.5)?

"Aurélien's dad, without question! I am happy with what he's doing. He is showing he has a great deal of talent. It's hard for a father to talk about it, to 'sell' his son, but he does it on his own via his results. I am just here to support him, help him reach good solutions. He is making an impressive leap forward. I am thrilled for him." 

Translation by Nikki Ehrhardt / ACO

Photo: Olivier Panis learns race after race the ins-and-outs of his new role as a team manager.

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