Interview: Panis ready for new challenge

At the end of the test session, the Frenchman, winner of the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix, talked to autosport.com about his reasons for leaving Formula One, what he is planning to do in the future, and what he'll miss most in the sport.

Q: Why have you decided to retire?

Olivier Panis: "First of all, because I miss racing. I was very happy to do the test programme for Toyota for two years, but I think I have motor racing in my blood, to do it again.

"I think I am still fit, I am still quick, and I really want to take on a new challenge. That is why I decided to stop F1 in general, but what I can say is I was very happy to do what I did for Toyota, it was so good.

"The relationship was so good, but on the other hand I missed racing. So I am stopping testing and try to find another challenge for next year and the future, in a different category of racing."

Q: You had a long career in F1. What was the highest and the lowest points?

Panis: "I think the highest point was, first of all ,that I managed to make it into F1 with a lot of support, and after that surely it was winning in Monaco (in 1996). That season was the first time I had the car to win a race or finish on the podium most of the time.

"It was good a good season to remember; I did my best for the team and just kept going. I also had a very good season with McLaren in 2000 (as test driver), and in general I was very happy with all the challenges I took."

Q: How did you feel after you won the race in Monaco?

Panis: "It was a bit unbelievable. I did not believe that I could win Monaco. For sure that time I was lucky with the weather, but it was all going well. Even the car was pretty competitive.

"To win Monaco, for a French driver, was a fantastic moment. After that it was easy to continue in the future. It was a dream - I was very happy for everyone. I think it made a big step for my career, and I kept going."

Q: How difficult was it, in 1997, after your accident in Canada?

Panis: "It was difficult, but I'm not the kind of guy who keeps talking about that. It was a mistake - a part failure - and it just happened to me. This is F1. After that, my mind set on going back to racing as quickly as possible, and it took three months, which was pretty quick.

"I worked 6 hours a day, I can tell you now I was desperate, because I did not feel any improvement. I was pushing and pushing. When I went back I did not even talk about it 0 now I can talk about it freely - but I didn't have enough power to brake with one leg, I had to brake with two legs!

"But I just wanted to continue, to go back racing, and it was working. It was an experience. I think after I came back I was stronger in my mind, just very happy to come back and continue my passion."

Q: What will you miss most about F1?

Panis: "I think driving an F1 car - anything in motor racing cannot give you the same speed and the same sensation. Also, I will miss a lot of people - after 12 years, I know most of the people in F1. I have some very good friends there. Although I have some enemies, too!"

Q: Is there anything you will not miss?

Panis: "Not really. From a sportive point of view, it was hard sometimes in my career, but I am not like dwelling on it."

Q: How do you feel Toyota are doing nowadays?

Panis: "I know there is a lot of criticism about Toyota. For me, this is a very good team, the people do their best to make some progress to win a race one day.

"I am very confident about the team, for sure. F1 is not as easy as people think. Winning a race is really, really tough. And fighting for the championship is even more difficult.

"But for sure the future of Toyota, is they continue like this - keep the stability - they will keep improving.

"I enjoyed the four years with them, we achieved a lot of work and a lot of effort. I think inside the team I have a lot of respect, and I have respect for them too. I really had a good time in Toyota."

Q: What will be your new challenge?

Panis: "I wanted to race in Le Mans, but if it is only Le Mans then I do not want to do it. It's championships like FIA GT or DTM that I am thinking about. I felt it is good.

"Also, I'm looking at SuperTurismo, it is good too. I want to go racing, I want to have a good programme. If not, I will do something else."

Q: When did you start thinking about finding a new challenge, then?

Panis: "It was in the middle of this year. I felt pretty motivated, and I felt I still have the speed, the fitness, and I felt it is time to do something else. Also, I know about the new testing rules (for next season), so I felt everything was a bit up in the air.

"I talked to Tomita San (Tsutomu Tomita, Toyota motorsport chairman), John (Howett, Toyota motorsport president) and the management, and I explained to them what I wanted to do. They really understood very well, and I had a big support from them.

"Sure, if Toyota enter anything else then I want to follow them. But right now F1 is their focus. Maybe one day I will go back to the Toyota family."

Q: Was it an easy decision?

Panis: "Well, first of all I am 40 years old - not so old, but one day you have to turn the page. Keep going in F1, just testing, if you don't think you can give all, I do not think it is respectful for the people who employ you.

"When I saw Mika Hakkinen doing DTM, and also doing ice trophy races in the winter, I really felt it. It was last winter, and I really started missing racing again. I enjoyed so much.

"It just all came back to me. The start, the first corner braking, and so on. It is still in me, and I started thinking, I want to do it again."

Q: Was it your own decision, or with your wife Anna too?

Panis: "I talked to Anna, and in fact it was she who pushed me to do something, rather than just stay at home. She said I should have life outside, doing what I always loved, and she knew I would get bored and restless if I just stay at home.

"She understands me completely, and she wanted me to go on, find a new challenge."

Q: Your son must be happy, too. He was so sad when you quit racing in the first place...

Panis: "I know! He was so proud of me when I was an F1 driver, so he was sad when I quit - although he was happy that I could spend more time with him, be at home more. I know he is happy that I will go racing again. I am just so lucky to have a family like that."

Q: You raced, then tested, then raced, and then tested. It just goes on...

Panis: "It was a very hard decision in 2000 to stop racing (and become test driver for McLaren), but that was a correct decision. I felt then that there was a lot of racing left in me, and that year gave me an opportunity to race again.

"The circumstances now are a bit different, but I still feel this adrenalin and energy, and until that stops, I want to keep on going."