Olivier Panis retires from Formula 1
Toyota revises test driver line-up
Panasonic Toyota Racing announced today that Olivier Panis
has decided to leave the team at the end of 2006 and thereby
put an end to his twelve-year Formula One career.
Olivier, whose test driver contract expires at the end of
this year, explained: "Toyota has made much progress
and I am happy to have been a part of this. The team was always
very motivated and still is. I am really positive about the
job the whole team has done and will miss everyone I have
worked with, yet I know that it is time for me to move on
and fulfil my wish to race again. I am looking forward to
new racing challenges outside Formula 1 but I will keep a
close eye on Toyota's performance and hope they achieve all
the success they deserve."
The team extends its thanks and gratitude to Olivier for
his support over the last four years and wishes him all the
best for his future endeavours.
Panasonic Toyota Racing Team Principal, Tsutomu Tomita, says:
"We are very thankful to Olivier for the high level of
commitment he put into working with the whole team all along
our four years of collaboration. His technical experience
and human qualities greatly contributed to our team development
as much as to the improvement of its overall performance.
We understand and accept his desire to continue racing. We
thank him for sharing his know-how and will support him in
whatever he chooses to do."
With the likely revisions of testing format and new driving
duties for Olivier Panis and Ricardo Zonta after the end of
2006, Panasonic Toyota Racing expects to reach an agreement
soon for Franck Montagny to join as third and test driver.
Panasonic Toyota Racing is also looking to take advantage
of the Toyota Young Drivers Programme to promote a young driver
to the testing team.
Once the test driver line-up has been finalised, Panasonic
Toyota Racing will issue further details.
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