Date of birth : 2 September 1966
Birthplace : Lyon
Marital status : Married to Anne, 3 children
Height : 173 cm
Weight : 76 kg

Wins : 1
Points scored : 64
Number of GP : 125
Pole Position : 0
Podiums : 5
First GP : 1994 (Interlagos)
Best result : 1




P R O F I L E

Olivier Panis' story had seemed one of unfulfilled promise, after a crash at the Canadian Grand Prix in 1997 saw him break both his legs and come back a shadow of his former self.

The Frenchman had been hailed as a great talent until this moment, and made the pit lane sit up and take notice when he took his maiden victory at the 1996 Monaco GP, slicing decisively past several cars on a track that is noted for not allowing overtaking.

However, despite getting back in the car as soon as possible after the accident, his form faltered and he was mainly present among the backmarkers during a formula1 career spent solely with Prost (known as Ligier until 1997). Despite some stunning drives in the latter half of 1999, Alain Prost's decision to let him go at the end of the year initially came as a shock, but actually proved to be the making of Panis.

In 2000 he opted to sit the year out and took up a testing contract with the Mercedes powered McLaren team. The Frenchman was fed up with driving for mid field outfits and hoped that the new role would show team bosses exactly what he was capable of. His plan worked and before the season was out the BAR team had contracted his services for the 2001 season. 

Throughout the year he outpaced long term friend, Jacques Villeneuve, however neither driver managed to claim that elusive first win, finishing sixth in the championship behind their Honda powered rivals at Jordan. With their sights set on a better 2002 Olivier was hoping that the win he desperately craves was just around the corner. 

Unfortunately it wasn't and the Frenchman has now signed a two-year contract to drive for Toyota in 2003 and 2004, alongside Brazilian Cristiano da Matta. As the team looks ahead to its second season in Formula One, Olivier will bring refreshed motivation, new ideas and immense development and racing experience to the team.




C A R E E R  H I G H L I G H T S