Formula One news

Panis ready for 'emotional' exit

Olivier Panis will race in his final grand prix at Suzuka on Sunday. The Frenchman, who debuted for Ligier more than a decade ago, will step aside after Japan so that Ricardo Zonta can compete in his home Brazilian event. "I love Suzuka," said Panis, "and this race will be quite emotional for me. I will miss the excitement of racing but I will still have an input in the future."

Panis, 37, has signed to be Toyota's 'third' driver in 2005 and 2006. The Japan GP line-up of Panis and new Toyota driver Jarno Trulli, meanwhile, reunites the 'good friends' who were team-mates in 1998 and 1999, at Prost.

On Sunday, Panis ran the TF104 car at Toyota's Tokyo (Megaweb) showroom. "It rained," Olivier smiled, "but everyone enjoyed my donuts and wheel spins!"

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