Formula 1: Panis - the man who broke the bank at Monte Carlo

For someone who has taken two major gambles with his grand prix career, is it any wonder Olivier Panis’ solitary victory came in Monte Carlo.

When Panis turned down a guaranteed drive for the 2000 campaign in order to rebuild his confidence testing for McLaren, many thought that was the end of the 34-year-old as a Formula One racer.

Yet the Frenchman is enjoying a renaissance this year despite making his return at a British American Racing team where former world champion Jacques Villeneuve was the undisputed king.

Panis has more than held his own against Villeneuve both in qualifying, where they are currently three-all, and in the races.

Villeneuve did claim BAR’s maiden podium in Barcelona when he benefited from Mika Hakkinen’s last-lap agony, but the Canadian has not been at his best.

Panis would have finished in the points on his debut in Australia but was punished for overtaking under the yellow warning flag.

But since then he has finished fourth in Brazil and fifth in Austria - he could be promoted to fourth if BAR’s on-going protest is successful to spearhead the team’s points chase.

‘‘I think it was a very good choice to join BAR,’’ said Panis, who rebuilt his confidence at McLaren where his testing times were comparable to regular drivers David Coulthard and Hakkinen.

‘‘I know Jacques works very hard with this team but BAR Honda needs two drivers with experience to continue to improve the team. I did not see it as a risk for me.

‘‘I am very happy with my relationship with Jacques as we do a very strong job together and our rivalry is good for the team.

‘‘I respect Jacques a lot but it is very important for me not to forget that he won the championship and he is a very, very fast driver.

‘‘When I push him he pushes me which is very positive and a step up for the team and for the both of us.

‘‘There is no problem with Jacques. I have known him for a long time he respects me and I respect him and we have a very good relationship at the moment.

‘‘It helps that we speak French. When I have a problem and when I have a question he speaks French because he knows the team well so it is a big help.’’

Panis’ career had hit the buffers in 1999 when his relationship with the Ligier team that had been taken over by fellow Frenchman Alain Prost came to an end.

The Lyon-born driver who had battled back to fitness after a horror smash in Canada in 1997 which left him with two broken legs had struggled with an uncompetitive and unreliable car.

Despite the belated offer of a drive at Williams, Panis opted McLaren and started a fashion among the teams of hiring experienced drivers to carry out the testing duties.

‘‘I had a very hard time in Prost, we had good moments but also some difficult moments,’’ admitted Panis, who had made his debut with Ligier in 1994.

‘‘When I went to McLaren where they had two strong drivers somebody said that it was a big risk and I would never come back to F1 but again I did not see it as a risk.

‘‘To me it was not true because McLaren Mercedes gave me the opportunity to improve my performance in comparison with Mika and David and also an opportunity to improve my technical feedback.

‘‘When I drove for McLaren last year I made sure in my mind I would do the same job as if I was driving at a race. I took the job thinking I would be back.

‘‘When I signed with BAR Honda I was very happy and it is great to be back and involved in race weekends with a good team.

‘‘I feel fresh and I happy with my performances which is very important. When the driver is very confident he is going strong.’’

Now Panis is hopeful of being regularly among the points though he is desperate to enjoy that winning feeling again.

The father-of-two’s 96-race career has brought just one victory, but there could have been no better place as he survived an incident-packed race in Monaco in 1996.

Panis returns to the scene of his maiden triumph next weekend admitting it would take a slice of luck for BAR to overcome the likes of Ferrari and McLaren this year.

‘‘I can still remember that day in 1996 but now it is too far away really,’’ added Panis. ‘‘It is a very good memory, but I want to win again.

‘‘I want more wins I need more. I am in F1 to win and all the team I drive to win. But we need to work hard to win and if we get the opportunity I can.

‘‘Jacques’ result in Barcelona was good for the team and I think we have a car to get points and get some podiums but to get wins this year we would need luck but why not.

‘‘It is good for the team if we win somewhere but that we have a car ready to fight for the points is very positive.

‘‘We need to keep doing that this season but also to prepare for next season when we have to close the gap and to fight to win next year.

‘‘It is really hard to get that next step, but the team have worked very well to reduce the gap.

‘‘In the future I am sure this team maybe will fight for the championship.’’