Formula One news

Panis receives TF104 as Toyota present

Toyota marked F1 veteran Olivier Panis' last ever grand prix by offering him a money-can't-buy memento. Team principal Tsutomu Tomita told the sport's only French driver that, after climbing out of the TF104B race car at Suzuka, 'keep it.'

"It's a great car and a great gesture," the 38-year-old ace, Panis - who will stay in Cologne's family next year and in 2006 as a test driver - said at Suzuka. "I am really moved."

Toyota threw a party for F1's oldest driver at their home circuit, and all team principals - including Frank Williams, Ron Dennis and Flavio Briatore - showed up. Panis said: "Honda wanted to see me too. In the drivers' meeting, Michael Schumacher said he'd miss me -- I guess everything has its time."

Olivier denied bowing out after the Japanese grand prix was a particularly nostalgic or emotional experience. "Everyone has to finish eventually," he said. "Maybe I'll feel different in the morning, but I feel quite lucky."

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