The front engine layout of the Panoz LMP means a higher percentage of the overall weight is at the forward end of the car.  This has the effect of allowing for more front downforce to be placed on the front axle and therefore larger front tires.  The front engine position pushes the driver back to nearly inline with the rear axle centerline.  The beneficial result is that the driver is better positioned in the chassis from a car feedback standpoint.  With all things being equal to a mid-engined LMP, the front-engined Panoz came with positive design benefits not available to mid-engined cars.  But ultimately everything comes down to a car's record, and that can't be ignored: three wins in '99 as well as the Manufacturer's Championship, one win in '00, two wins in '01, and two wins in '02.

The LMP-1's heritage began with the closed top Panoz GTR GT-1 car originally designed by Reynard Special Vehicle Projects directed by Nigel Stroud.  Shown here during its debut season in 1997, the GTR raced in the ALMS GT-1 category as well as in the FIA GT series.

The GTR evolved in '98 with an increase in the front and rear overhangs.  This helped push the rear wing further from the airflow-effecting greenhouse.  But the introduction of the revolutionary Toyota GT-One at Le Mans in '98 convinced the Panoz group to move up into the LMP category as certain design-architecture limitations (the cab rearward greenhouse) could not be overcome to bring the car's performance to Toyota level.