Olivier Panis  Born: 02.09.66  Birthplace:Lyon, France  Team: Toyota  2006 Car Number: 17  Last Season: tied 14th  GP Pedigree (After the Japanese Grand Prix)  Starts: 158  Victories: 1  Poles: 0  Fastest Laps: 0  Points: 77  GP Debut: 1994 (Brazilian Grand Prix - 11th)   Five-year Stats

Olivier Panis will be looking desperately for an improvement this season after a disappoingint first term with Toyota.

Car reliablity affected results and Panis failed to provide the spark the team were clearly looking for.

Comeback kid Panis was snapped up by Toyota who were looking for skill and experience for the second season in F1 after a particularly disappointing opening foray.

Panis' second season with BAR was no more successful than his first and with several personnel changes in management during the season, the Frenchman opted to find a new team.

Veteran of well over 100 races, his proudest day came in 1996 when he won the Monaco GP from 14th on the grid.

A horrific accident in Canada next year when he broke both legs surely halted a promising career that Panis is still trying to return to the dizzy heights of the mid-90s.

But nine retirements last year told its own tale and, besides a fine fith in Germany, he scored points in only two other races.

Partnering Da Matta again will at least offer continuity at Toyota if they can get the racing package right.

Formula One Career:

2004:	GP with Toyota.
2003:	GP with Toyota - fifth in Germany, eighth in Canada and France (6 pts, tied 14th in championship)
2002:	GP with BAR - fifth in Britain, sixth in Italy (3 pts - 14th in championship).
2001:	GP with BAR - fourth in Brazil, fifth in Austria (5 pts - 15th in championship).
1999:	GP with Prost - sixth in Brazil, Germany (2 points, tied 15th in championship).
1998:	GP with Prost - no points scored.
1997:	GP with Prost - second in Spain, third in Brazil, fourth in Monaco, fifth in Australia, sixth in Luxembourg (16 points - 10th in championship).
1996:	GP with Ligier - victory in Monaco, fifth in Hungary, sixth in Brazil (12 points, 9th in championship).
1995:	GP with Ligier - second in Australia, fourth in Canada, Britain, fifth in Japan, sixth in Spain, Canada (16 points - 8th in championship).
1994:	GP with Ligier - second in Germany, fifth in Australia, sixth in Hungary (9 points - 11th in championship).

Background:

1993:

Formula 3000 champion