Will Stevens will return to Panis-Barthez Competition for a second season in the European Le Mans Series and 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Brit will drive the team’s Ligier JS P217 Gibson alongside Rene Binder and a yet-to-be-announced third drivers for the full ELMS season and Le Mans, subject to entry confirmation.

Stevens co-drove with Julian Canal and Timothe Buret this season, scoring podium finishes at the final two ELMS rounds at Spa and Portimao.

“Keeping Will Stevens aboard was a top priority,” said team principal Oliver Panis. “I have been so impressed by him, his speed and his implication.

“I have rarely seen a professional driver sharing so many informations with his teammates. He spends hours in front of the datas to improve the car.

“It’s true he grumbles quite a lot but always in a positive way. First of all it makes me laugh but above all it pushes us continuously to make our proto faster and faster.”

Stevens added: “I’m very happy to stay with Panis-Barthez Competition next year.

“We showed in 2018 how strong we are together, and the great results we had at the end of the season motivated me to stay: we have a job to continue and to finish.”