Interview with Olivier Panis

Olivier what can you tell us about the Hungaroring?

“The circuit has a number of slow corners and only one quick section. The main straight is relatively long. The track is usually pretty dirty but as the F1s raced there recently that should help us. It’s a layout whose offcamber corners are fairly hard on tyres, and there’s also a lot of understeer. That’s typical of Budapest but I like the track as it’s got rhythm. Traffic is going to be THE big problem!”

What memories do you have?

“Overall, pretty good ones. I’ve often been quick in qualifying. In fact, this circuit is fun during practice and qualifying. In general, I’ve had pretty good results there. I think my best performance was fifth in 1996, and I also finished sixth on two occasions with Ligier, one of which was in my first season in Formula 1.”

The Team ORECA-Matmut has just come from winning in Portimao. How does it feel?

“It’s a kind of deliverance! Everybody is delighted with it. After what happened at Le Mans, the team deserved it. It does a lot of good to be on the topmost step of the podium, all the more so as we had a fault-free weekend with a perfect race. We’ve already opened our score!”

So the aim in Budapest is obviously a second victory, isn’t it?

“Yes, obviously. We know it won’t be very easy on this layout but we want to put on a repeat
performance. Personally speaking, I’m determined to shine and I want to help the Team ORECAMatmut win the title. It would be a great way to reward all the work that the team’s put in since the launch of the endurance programme in 2008.”