Panis Takes Encouragement from Race Finish

Frenchman Olivier Panis refused to be disappointed despite another point-less race for the British American Racing team on Sunday.

The struggling Brackley-based squad are the only ones who have failed to score a point in 2002 after the first nine races, and they were unable to do it again on Sunday's European Grand Prix despite both Panis and teammate Jacques Villeneuve crossing the finish line.

Panis completed the race a lap down in ninth place, while Canadian Villeneuve finished in 12th position after recovering from a dismal qualifying in which he qualified 19th. The veteran French admitted their car was just not fast enough today, but was encouraged by his second race finish in a row.

"After warm-up this morning I said that points were possible but, in the end, the Nurburgring is a fast track and we didn't have the speed to do the job," said Panis. "I don't want to say I'm disappointed because I've finished the last two races in the top ten, so this definitely has to be seen as a progression.

"Today's race was always going to be difficult for us but we demonstrated a strong team performance and we have to take some encouragement from that. As always, we have to keep working hard and see what Silverstone will bring."