LE FIGARO. -
Your first reaction after this victory?
Aurelien Panis.
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I am very happy to win this second title in four appearances.
Last year, even though we had led the trophy all season, I narrowly missed the title here in Super Besse.
This year with the team, which I would like to thank for its commitment, we have been very consistent and our four victories have allowed us to accumulate big points in almost all stages of the competition.
Read alsoE-Trophée Andros: Aurélien Panis, titled champion at Lans-en-Vercors
A word on this season's standings.
The Andros e-trophy is always very competitive.
I would like to congratulate Dorian Boccolacci, who is on the second step of the podium.
It's only his second time at Andros and he's had an impressive season!
Third place goes to Jean-Baptiste Dubourg, holder of six victories.
The best memory of this season?
Undoubtedly my victory at Lans en Vercors.
I was the regional of the stage.
I have the chance to wear the colors of my department, Isère… and winning the title at home was extremely satisfying.
How do we prepare for the Andros season?
It starts in October-November, we discuss with the technical teams to develop the car.
But there is also a big part of mental.
Competing on ice is very different from racing on the track.
It is therefore necessary to find the automatisms very quickly.
Reread last year's notes and find your bearings… On the Andros, there isn't a lot of driving on the circuits, so you have to perform straight away.
Do you have a routine before each departure?
Not really.
I know a lot of pilots are superstitious.
I don't have a particular routine.
When I put on my helmet and slip behind the wheel, I enter my bubble.
From this moment, I am very concentrated on the track that I visualize mentally.
Do you prefer driving on ice or on macadam?
They are two very different worlds.
When you arrive on the ice, you have to forget all your tarmac reflexes… I always enjoy driving on the ice and I find it super cool to be able to ride on these two surfaces… But I admit I have no preferences .
How did you get into motorsport?
With the career of my father (Olivier Panis, racing driver), I can say that I fell into it when I was little.
But in reality, my parents never pushed me.
I even started competing quite late since I was 13 when I started kart racing.
I really liked it and that's when I wanted to make my life in motorsport.
I then followed a traditional route and climbed the classic ranks in single-seaters: Formula 4, Formula Renault, the antechamber of F1.
Then I turned to GT3 racing….
And in winter, there is of course the Andros e-trophy.
After each race, is there a family debriefing?
Yes, we are discussing it.
He is often with me on race weekends.
Of course, I listen to my father's advice and benefit from his experience.
You were the son of... Is Olivier now the father of...?
I hope people are starting to say: “Olivier is the father of…” (He bursts out laughing).
Even if at the beginning it was not always easy to be the son of… I very quickly learned to manage it.
Today, this is no longer a problem and there are still advantages to being the son of Olivier Panis, when you are a driver, there is no denying it.
What is the program now?
After the Andros e-trophy, we have a slightly calmer month of February before preparing for the GT3 season which will start in March, still with Audi sport.
I am pleased to have signed with the Belgian team Boutsen VDS.
