Olivier to make race weekend return

By Karl King
May 20 2005

The Panasonic Racing team today announced that Olivier Panis will make a race weekend comeback, at his home race - the French GP. Recently revised F1 Sporting Regulations, which before permitted Panis - with so much race experience to drive on a Friday - have now changed.

Green light: It's all go for Panis

After 33 races with the Panasonic Toyota Racing team, the Frenchman retired from competitive racing after the Japanese GP last year, but signed a two-year testing contract with the team alongside regular tester and Friday driver, Brazilian Ricardo Zonta.

John Howett, president of the team told:
"Olivier was not eligible to drive the third car with the regulations as
they were at the start of the 2005 season. But now this rule has been
relaxed, we felt it would be a good opportunity to ask Olivier to drive the
third car for the French Grand Prix, his home race. Olivier's reputation as
a quick, technically-minded driver is well documented and he has contributed
greatly to the success that we have enjoyed this season. Ricardo has a busy
race and test schedule this year, so we believe that this decision will also
allow him to enjoy a weekend off before returning for the British Grand Prix
the following week."

Panis himself said:
"I'm really looking forward to returning to the cockpit
at Magny-Cours. I first raced at the circuit in 1994 so I have over a decade
of knowledge of the track. Now I hope to use that experience to help Toyota
at the French Grand Prix. I think it would be a big shame to go through the
entire Magny-Cours race weekend without any French drivers. So as well as
being productive for the team I hope to give something back to the
spectators and to the French TV and press at the race. I hope it will be fun
for everybody, productive for the team and I hope to enjoy myself!"