Panis will become Toyota Test Driver

[Led ZeppF1]

Olivier Panis will become Toyota’s third driver for 2005 after deciding to retire from competitive F1e racing at the end of the season. Panis has signed a two-year deal with the team, to include testing, promotional and advisory roles.

http://www.formula1.com/news/2163.html

[Adam43]

However, I guess, he won't be able to be the Friday tester because he has driven over six races in the last two years. A shame for him (if this rule still applies nect year).

[Testure]

"deciding to retire" - funny!

[BootsOntheSide]

That was my first thought as well Testure - it's nto relaly a 'decision' when you've got no other option. It could be quite a coup for Toyota to be keeping him on - he seemed to do very well in his season as McLaren tester. I guess they've offered him a sum of money he simply couldn't get racing in ChampCars or DTM or elsewhere.

[Led ZeppF1]

Its should be forced to retire?

[dcp2685]

Originally posted by Led ZeppF1
Olivier Panis will become Toyota’s third driver for 2005 after deciding to retire from competitive F1e racing at the end of the season. Panis has signed a two-year deal with the team, to include testing, promotional and advisory roles.

http://www.formula1.com/news/2163.html

You know what that's great for him. Toyota is looking to move in a different direction and Olivier is getting very old. It sounds as if he'll have a number of different roles and it also sounds as if Toyota was actually keen on retaining his technical ability. Me thinks it's actually a good move for both of them. Keeps Olivier in F1 and allows toyota to maybe finally plant their feet for the future with a pretty damn good driver and team player.

Congrats.

[Kicking-back]

Olivier is one of the most genuine drivers in F1.

If he says he's decided to retire, I actually believe him.

I wish him well in his new role.

And he leaves racing with a win on his CV - something very few drivers ever manage.

[nkh]

and in Monaco of all places in a french car(!)

[BSchneiderFan]

Just a thought. Maybe this is wildly off, but here's a thing: as 'third driver', even if he's not their Friday tester, Panis will, presumably, also be reserve driver, first in line to be called up to fill an unexpected vacancy. There have been persistent rumours about Schumacher's fitness, and suggestions that he could be dropped after a few races next year if the Monza and Indianapolis shunts have had long-term effects. Maybe Panis has read these rumours too, and reckons that, by staying on as 'third driver', he may find himself back in a Toyota race seat early next year? Or is that too labyrinthine?

[Kicking-back]

I don't think that kind of plan is in Panis thoughts at this stage.

Keeping him as reserve driver makes perfect sense as he knows the team well and can slot in, but I genuinely believe him when he says this is a retirement - albeit with the possibility of filling in where required.

[BootsOntheSide]

Actually I'd take BSchneiderFan's comment the other way around - Toyota may feel that having Panis on the team gives them an option to include in the race team if Ralf isn't up to standard after his crashes? They might feel that he'd be able to do a better job (epseically in the short term) than Briscoe, and once you factor in that the latter could continue as Friday tester, it might be a good option?

[Kirk]

Good point Boots, and I agree with KB; there's no need for cynicism concerning his announcement. OP has always been a class act ... and underrated, imo.

[BSchneiderFan]

Though it's a shame that Panis will be lost to racing for a while. Norbert Haug had talked about finding him a DTM seat.

[Kicking-back]

I'd have liked to see Olivier in the DTM, but this Toyota job is probably something he felt he couldn't turn down.

I think he'll be good at helping develop the young driver programme.

[luke]

Well he has had a reasonably good carrer.
I can't see this being a sabatical and returning in 2006 like he did in 2000 from 3rd driver at Mclaren to a longside Villenuve at BAR.

[BARrouette]

Panis will be one of the best test driver if not the best right now.
The guy know a lot about optimizing a car.

[Kicking-back]

Originally posted by luke
I can't see this being a sabatical and returning in 2006

Indeed.

That's why he's announced his retirement

[bt44]

I can't knock the guy myself. He may have not hit the highest echelons but, as many have said, Monaco 96, some great drives in mid-table cars etc. I wish him well. "Forced to retire", "deciding to retire" comments are not a fair reflection on what has been a respectable job done over many years. Bootsontheside's opinion on him becoming a valuable reserve if Ralf should not be fit is very succint - a logical call by Toyota. He may have not made it all the way to the top but this guy is respected by many for good reason. I for one am sure that he will continue to do a good job for Toyota helping develop future cars and drivers. His career in single seaters is probably coming to a logical end but consider all his achievements, he is likely to continue to contribute in testing and possibly sportscars going forward.

Bonne Chance Olivier

[Kirk]

Excellent 1st post bt44. Welcome!

[bt44]

Thanks Kirk
No offence to Testure and Led Zeppf1 for quoting, I am sure that they are only joking, plus I must give credit to bschneiderfan for being the first on the Ralf sub theory!
Anyway I hope to be back posting soon

BT44

[BootsOntheSide]

Welcome BT44, I sense a lot of enthusiasm for Panis in your words.

My guess is that, if Toyota feel that Ralf is no longer the driver he was before thes crashes (and, in truth, he hasn't seemed the same since Monza - maybe the extended break and new opportunity will help him recover fully), they would use Panis for 2005 as a stop-gap, before hiring a younger driver (maybe Davidson or Sato?) for 2006?

[luke]

Originally posted by BARrouette
Panis will be one of the best test driver if not the best right now.
The guy know a lot about optimizing a car.

BARrouette, most test drivers are good.....just look at Alex Wurz and Anthony Davidson and co.

I think it's time to bring in 3 car teams or if thats not possible just only do it for the smaller teams like they do on fridays.

[CleanTone]

What's the point in singing an old driver as a 3rd when you have 2 main drivers around 30 y?

[luke]

CleanTone you have missed my point completly unfortunately.
What I meant was that I would like to see 3 car teams so the younger talent can come through.
Look at whats happened to Justin Wilson and more.

[KRONOSJL]

It s a logical end for PANIS , who is a god driver but a not allways made good choices , and had a unlucky career (his crash in MONTREAL , and the "sport-crash" of PROST GP ! He is a little too old for drive a not top team (JAGUAR , JORDAN , etc...), and TOYOTA wants to change any thing for next season. and its perhaps a génius idea having an experimented test driver , and not a "rookie" , or a paying driver coming from CHINA , RUSSIA or ISRAEL !