24h Le Mans
Fabien Barthez has competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times. The former international footballer – a 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship winner with France – forged a career as a racing driver after hanging up his goalkeeping gloves. With Barthez recently announcing the end of his collaboration with Olivier Panis, Panis-Barthez Compétition will now be known as Panis Racing.
On ending his professional football career after almost 20 years, Fabien Barthez found time to develop his other passion: racing cars. Ever enthusiastic for human adventure and disciplines where team spirit is vital, the former Marseille, Monaco and Manchester United shot stopper naturally turned towards endurance and began to build an impressive reputation in both GT and prototype racing. Barthez contested the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times: 2014, 2016 and 2017.
His first appearance in the legendary race saw him share the wheel of the #58 Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 with Anthony Pons and Soheil Ayari. The Team Sofrev ASP entry crossed the finish line in 29th place and ninth in the LMGTE Am class. He returned to Le Mans in 2016 and 2017 with Panis-Barthez Compétition, the team set up with former Formula One driver Olivier Panis. Barthez scored his best finish in 2016, finishing 12th overall and ninth in LMP2, in a Ligier JS P2-Nissan. Unfortunately, Barthez’s last Le Mans appearance was less successful with the team’s JS P217-Gibson forced to retire.
As Fabien Barthez turns over a new leaf, the ACO would like to place on record its thanks for his enthusiastic participation in endurance.
