Panis Racing Begins ELMS Season with Victory in Barcelona
Barcelona, Spain — The 2026 European Le Mans Series (ELMS) season commenced with a thrilling opening race at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where the #29 Panis Racing ORECA clinched the overall victory. This triumph marks a strong start for the defending champions, featuring a modified driver lineup with Louis Rousset joining last year’s titleholders, Oliver Gray and Esteban Masson.
Despite appearing straightforward, the win was hard-fought. Early penalties put Rousset, making his LMP2 debut, in a challenging position. Following a botched start and a drive-through penalty for mismanaging an advantage at Turn 2, the team was tasked with a significant recovery effort.
Gray noted Rousset’s potential: “We know Louis has the pace, he just has a lot to learn… He’s adapting pretty quickly.” Both Gray and Masson later showcased their talents, executing crucial moves to regain the lead as the race progressed.
Masson performed impressively in the latter stages, overtaking competitors including ex-F1 driver Jack Doohan and ultimately seizing the lead with strategic maneuvering against Inter Europol’s Reshad de Gerus. “I was just pushing… I didn’t know I was fighting. I was just trying to pass everyone,” Masson explained post-race.
The event was characterized by fierce early competition, with significant incidents on the opening lap underscoring the high stakes faced by all teams. Panis Racing’s resilience in overcoming adversities reaffirms their status as a formidable contender in the LMP2 category.
As teams prepare for the next race at Paul Ricard in three weeks, the season’s early dynamics are promising, with other squads like United ORECA and Inter Europol indicative of strong competition ahead.
Upcoming Event: ELMS teams will converge at Circuit Paul Ricard on [date], a pivotal pre-Le Mans test for many entries looking to assert their performance benchmarks early in the season.
