Point is only first step for me, says Panis

The Frenchman inherited his eighth place finishing position in Montreal, however, when team-mate Cristiano da Matta was forced to retire with a suspension problem near the finish of the race.

"I am a little bit disappointed for Cristiano because he drove a strong race, but this is my first championship point of the season and for me it is now the first step," said Panis. "The car went very well throughout the weekend and, from here, we need to continue to build on the car's performance for the second half of the season - starting from the next race at the Nürburgring."

A disconsolate da Matta said: "Something just wasn't right with the car's suspension at the exit of the chicane and I simply couldn't continue. To miss out on certain points like that so close to the end is extremely annoying."