Olivier Panis Q&A

"I'm very pleased to work with BAR Honda, and I've had a very good impression. The engine is quite good, and there's a good evolution for this season. The new car is very positive. We need to continue to work before the first GP, but I'm very happy."



"I would like to, I'm 100% sure! But you know, F1 is very difficult. You have two strong teams at the front, and we need to close the gap."



"It's very difficult, but we'll work for it. Maybe we can close the gap, but Ferrari and McLaren will be fighting again for the championship."



"It's not easy, but I don't regret anything. Last year for me was a fantastic season with the McLaren team, and I really enjoyed to work with them, and now I'm very pleased to come back on race weekends because it's so frustrating when you're not racing."



"I worked with the best team, the best people, and it's very enjoyable to know my real performance, compared with the best drivers, and I come back very, very positive. I know my performance now and I'm very excited to prove something if possible."



"I'm sure I learned a lot of things with the best team and the best car, and I'm sure it will be a big help for BAR. But it is already a very stable team and a strong team, it's going up all the time. We'll work together to make it go up as quickly as possible."



"I work a lot with Jacques. Our driving style is quite close, to be honest, which is very good for him and very good for me. We have to follow the same set-up and we'll push together to develop the car."



"Yes, I think so. It's very good motivation for both drivers to fight a lot, in qualifying and the race. It's very good for us."



"The new car compared with last year's car is completely different. It's different chassis, with an evolution of the engine which is much lighter, which is a good point. And the aerodynamics are completely different because the regulations have changed a lot. But I'm very positive about the new car, to be honest. I feel that that it's going to be quick. I know we're waiting for a big package before the first GP, new aerodynamics, and I'm very, very positive and pleased."



"I'm sure the cars will be sliding more everywhere, and there will be less grip in general. And they will be less stable under very heavy braking. But it's the same for everybody."



"It's difficult to tell about it, because I don't like to speak before the season. But I am very positive. We need to make some points, both Jacques and me, and I'll be pushing the team a lot to continue to develop the car during the year."