Panis Racing has confirmed that Esteban Masson and Oliver Gray will return to the team for the defence of its European Le Mans Series LMP2 title this year.
The pairing will share the #29 ORECA 07 – Gibson with the previously announced Louis Rousset, under the ‘Forestier Racing by Panis’ banner.
For the second year in a row, the TDS Racing-run effort has undergone a significant off-season rebrand, with VDS making way for Forestier Racing as title partner after a single year.
The arrival of Forestier Racing backing has resulted in the adoption of a new number, #29, and a distinctive new livery.
Forestier Racing competed in the Michelin Le Mans Cup last season in partnership with VPS Racing, finishing second and third in the LMP3 teams’ championship. 27-year-old Rousset, who is set to make his LMP2 debut this year, featured as part of the team’s driving talent, scoring three podium finishes alongside Romain Favre.
In 2025, Toyota Hypercar development driver Masson, Alpine Hypercar driver Charles Milesi and breakout talent Gray and won three races on their way to securing Panis Racing’s maiden ELMS title. Masson, Gray and Franck Perera also finished second for the French outfit at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, coming agonisingly close to victory before a mechanical failure struck in the closing minutes.
Forestier Racing by Panis has also announced that it intends to take up its automatic invitation to the 2026 24 Hours of Le Mans, for what would be Panis Racing’s 11th consecutive appearance at the race.
Image courtesy of Panis Racing
