Feature: Panis Dreams of 51 More Grands Prix

Toyota's Olivier Panis says he still has a way to go in Formula One after reaching his 150th Grand Prix milestone on Sunday.

The Frenchman, who will be 38 in September, is currently the oldest driver on the starting grid but he has a dream of continuing well into the future.

"[150] is a good number... it is quite a lot but I want to keep going," Panis told Reuters at the US Grand Prix, where the team marked his achievement with a cake, champagne and commemorative caps.

"I want to beat my friend Jean Alesi, he did 200. I need to do 201," he said with a smile after qualifying eighth at Indianapolis.

The chances of that happening are remote. Panis would have to drive on for three more seasons and the rumour mill suggests that Toyota is likely to have a clear-out at the end of the year.

Germany's Ralf Schumacher, currently at Williams, is expected to join the Cologne-based team.

Panis is out of contract at the end of the year as is Brazilian Cristiano da Matta, although the team have an option on him.

But the Frenchman remained confident that he still had plenty to offer in terms of experience and continuity.

"I am serious that I want to keep going, I don't know how much to be honest but I feel very good, very motivated and very determined," he said. "I think the challenge is quite hard but I think it is fun to do it and next year with (technical director) Mike (Gascoyne) I am sure something will happen with the new car."

One Point

Panis has scored just one point after eight races this season as Toyota struggle to be competitive but he can at least boast that he is a former winner - of the 1996 Monaco Grand Prix for Ligier.

Compatriot Alesi, now racing in the German touring car series, also won just one race.

"Next year is still very open and I am very pleased with the team, I think the stability is still very important. We'll see but I'm still really positive," said Panis.

If Monaco remains his career highlight, then the 1997 Canadian Grand Prix is the low.

Panis broke both his legs in a crash in Montreal while with the Prost team, missing the next seven races. He then drove through 1998 with knee-to-ankle plates in his legs.

Until that point, 1997 had been shaping up well with a second place in Spain at the Circuit de Catalunya in the race before his crash.

A year as McLaren tester in 2000 was followed by two seasons at BAR and then a move to Toyota last year as the Japanese car giant cleared out its debut line-up.

It has not been easy but Panis is ever the optimist, still learning and still having fun.

"Every day you learn something because every day is different," he said. "The car improves so quickly during the season... I need to think what to improve, which way we need to take. This is what I like so much right now."