FO110K
Banned
- Liittynyt
- 3.1.2001
- Viestit
- 15345
[09/09/04 - 10:25]
Panis announces F1 race retirement
And signs two-year Toyota test deal
Olivier Panis retires from F1 race activity
at the end of the season.
After a long career stretching back to his Formula One debut with Ligier in 1994, Olivier Panis today announced that he is to retire as a Formula One race driver after the 2004 season finale in Brazil. Panis has however signed a new two-year deal with Toyota, which will see the 38-year-old Frenchman become the team's third driver next season.
In his role as third driver, Panis will substitute if either Toyota race driver is unable to take part in the Grand Prix weekend. However, the 11-year veteran of 155 F1 races is not eligible to run the third car during Friday practice sessions, according to current FIA regulations, which stipulate that the driver of the third car must not have participated in more than six Grand Prix in the last two years.
Panis' decision to retire from racing was made over the summer period the team state. However, Panis, a renowned test driver and Toyota have come to a mutual agreement, whereby Panis will conduct valuable testing duties in 2005 and 2006, as well as corporate promotional activities for the team. Additionally, Panis will adopt an advisory role for Toyota's young drivers programme, the Toyota Drivers' Academy.
"We are very pleased that Olivier has accepted our offer to stay with Panasonic Toyota Racing for an additional two years," stated Tsutomu Tomita, Team Principal of Panasonic Toyota Racing. "His input to our team has been invaluable and we see Olivier's future role with the team as crucial to our further development. His excellent technical feedback will be highly beneficial in a testing role. He will also take part in PR and marketing activities for the team. With over 150 GPs of experience as a race driver, he will also act as our reserve driver in case either of our race drivers cannot participate in a GP weekend. Together, I am sure that we can celebrate success in the coming years."
Olivier Panis, who scored his sole Grand Prix triumph in Monaco with Ligier in 1996 admits that his decision has taken a great deal of thought, but is delighted to continue with the team that he joined in 2003.
"My decision to retire as an F1 race driver has come after some months of deep thought, but I am proud that Panasonic Toyota Racing has decided to retain my services," Panis said. "I have a strong relationship with everyone at Toyota and I am pleased to be able to continue my work as a representative of the team both on and off the track. I am looking forward to helping the team move further up the grid and I am confident that together we will reap the rewards of our combined efforts over the last two years."
Jarno Trulli is expected to join the squad alongside Ralf Schumacher in 2005, but the team were keen to point out that the final decision has yet to be taken. "Contrary to reports, Panasonic Toyota Racing has not yet finalised its complete driver line-up for 2005, but the team will make an announcement once all details are concluded," a statement read.
Olivier Panis has notched up six points this year with the German- based team and heading to Monza as Formula One racer for the final time this weekend, will be keen to help Toyota move up in the Championship standings.
____________________________________
no tämähän oli odotettavissakin, nyt sit odotellaan koska se Trullin soppari allekirjotetaan...
Panis announces F1 race retirement
And signs two-year Toyota test deal
Olivier Panis retires from F1 race activity
at the end of the season.
After a long career stretching back to his Formula One debut with Ligier in 1994, Olivier Panis today announced that he is to retire as a Formula One race driver after the 2004 season finale in Brazil. Panis has however signed a new two-year deal with Toyota, which will see the 38-year-old Frenchman become the team's third driver next season.
In his role as third driver, Panis will substitute if either Toyota race driver is unable to take part in the Grand Prix weekend. However, the 11-year veteran of 155 F1 races is not eligible to run the third car during Friday practice sessions, according to current FIA regulations, which stipulate that the driver of the third car must not have participated in more than six Grand Prix in the last two years.
Panis' decision to retire from racing was made over the summer period the team state. However, Panis, a renowned test driver and Toyota have come to a mutual agreement, whereby Panis will conduct valuable testing duties in 2005 and 2006, as well as corporate promotional activities for the team. Additionally, Panis will adopt an advisory role for Toyota's young drivers programme, the Toyota Drivers' Academy.
"We are very pleased that Olivier has accepted our offer to stay with Panasonic Toyota Racing for an additional two years," stated Tsutomu Tomita, Team Principal of Panasonic Toyota Racing. "His input to our team has been invaluable and we see Olivier's future role with the team as crucial to our further development. His excellent technical feedback will be highly beneficial in a testing role. He will also take part in PR and marketing activities for the team. With over 150 GPs of experience as a race driver, he will also act as our reserve driver in case either of our race drivers cannot participate in a GP weekend. Together, I am sure that we can celebrate success in the coming years."
Olivier Panis, who scored his sole Grand Prix triumph in Monaco with Ligier in 1996 admits that his decision has taken a great deal of thought, but is delighted to continue with the team that he joined in 2003.
"My decision to retire as an F1 race driver has come after some months of deep thought, but I am proud that Panasonic Toyota Racing has decided to retain my services," Panis said. "I have a strong relationship with everyone at Toyota and I am pleased to be able to continue my work as a representative of the team both on and off the track. I am looking forward to helping the team move further up the grid and I am confident that together we will reap the rewards of our combined efforts over the last two years."
Jarno Trulli is expected to join the squad alongside Ralf Schumacher in 2005, but the team were keen to point out that the final decision has yet to be taken. "Contrary to reports, Panasonic Toyota Racing has not yet finalised its complete driver line-up for 2005, but the team will make an announcement once all details are concluded," a statement read.
Olivier Panis has notched up six points this year with the German- based team and heading to Monza as Formula One racer for the final time this weekend, will be keen to help Toyota move up in the Championship standings.
____________________________________
no tämähän oli odotettavissakin, nyt sit odotellaan koska se Trullin soppari allekirjotetaan...
