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31 Jul 2000, 15:19 (Ref:27244) | #1 | ||
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From Planet F1:
Olivier Panis is poised to sign with British American Racing following a year in testing wilderness. The deal that will see Olivier Panis return to F1 is virtually a matter of crossing the ‘Ts’ and dotting the ‘Is’, Planet F1 has learned. Following last week’s shock news that Jacques Villeneuve is to remain with the Brackley based outfit for (virtually) the remainder of his career, many F1 insiders believed that the team would look for a wealthy ‘rent-a-drive’ in order to balance the books. However, in an effort to be taken more seriously the team are opting for the 1996 Monaco GP winner. In 1997, Panis was seriously injured in a horrendous crash during the Canadian GP, following his return to the cockpit later in the season pitlane pundits remarked that he’d lost his sparkle. It’s widely believed that Craig Pollock and his men have lost faith in current number two Ricardo Zonta and believe that if they want to be taken more seriously – by the media as well as rival teams – then they need the strongest line-up possible. Many of those involved in F1 were shocked when Panis chose to take a year’s Sabbatical in 2000, however watching the abysmal performances of the Prost this year Olivier seems to have made a wise decision. At the height of the ‘David will go’, ‘Mika to retire’ saga Panis was widely tipped to be the man most likely to replace whoever departed. In his role as test driver for McLaren, Panis has been outstanding, but as Olivier is only too happy to admit, he wants to race not test. Expect an official announcement within the next three weeks. |
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31 Jul 2000, 16:25 (Ref:27269) | #2 | |
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I hope so. He's one of the best of the drivers around at the moment, and providing he gets equal treatment with Jacques and with further input from Honda this could be one of the surprise packages of 2001.
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31 Jul 2000, 19:04 (Ref:27298) | #3 | ||
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I thought Zonta was on his way out anyway, but after yesterday's dismal performance it pretty certain now.
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