Reform Club:
by Adam Cooper.
Autosport, January 28 1999 issue..

Olivier Panis was in vogue in 1997. Last year, he came back to earth with a bang. The Prost team's cars were well off
the pace, and his rookie partner, Jarno Trulli, often got the better of him. Those around him questioned his motivation. However, despite suggestions he has only held on to his job because of the lack of rival candidates with a French passport, he is determined to rebuild his reputation in the coming season. "I would like to return to '97", he says. "In other words, finishing every race inside the points, and maybe on the podium. It's possible. McLaren and Ferrari will be fighting for the title again, but after that it will be very close for everyone else".

A year ago, the Frenchman was full of similar optimism. It seemed justified. His new Prost looked stunning in its metallic paint job. Peugeot support had raised the stakes, the team was expanding and, after such a strong showing in '97 it seemed the sky was the limit. "Everything looked good", he agrees. "But I knew it would be a difficult season - although I never imagined how difficult. It was very tough - for the team in general, and especially the drivers".

The decline in Prost's fortunes came as a bitter blow after the highs of a season before, when Panis seemed to come of age, often emerging as the leading Bridgestone contender. Then came a crash in Canada, when a suspension breakage pitched him off the road at high speed. He was left with two broken legs, but showed courage by fighting back to fitness for the last two races. His reward for '98 was the AP01, possibly one of the worst Formula 1 cars in recent years. Time and again, the blue machine would coast to the halt at the trackside - when the gearbox stayed together, the engine often let go. Fundamental flaws in the rear suspension made it a real handful, and the driver finished in the top 10 only once, at the first race - but ninth was also last. "We never understood the gearbox problem", he says. "It was impossible to work on the set-up, or improve the performance. All the time we were working on the gearbox, and meanwhile the other cars improved. It was never possible to close the gap to them".

In retrospect, Prost had taken on too much. Its resources were overstretched. The team had expanded from 70 to 200 people; it had moved its operation from Magny-Cours to a new factory just outside Paris; it had a new engine; and it had a recalcitrant gearbox. Panis decided it was his duty to keep morale up, at least in public. Both drivers were frustrated, but neither would say a word against their employer. However, while Trulli could sometimes be seen looking despondent, the Frenchman never appeared down. Cynics suggested he was putting on a brave face to help secure his job in '99. However, after re-signing both drivers last August team boss Alain Prost claimed that Panis' motivation was his biggest problem. The driver says he never lost faith. "I was motivated 100%", he says. "But I had problems with my driving. I like to push very hard, and it was impossible to drive the car in that way".

Despite his protestations of loyalty, he does admit he thought about moving elsewhere. "Yes, I spoke with another team. It's my job. But, in August, I talked to Alain about continuing for one more year, and about what our philosophy was to be for the technical people. I was happy that he was reorganising the team". Despite the dramas, he says that designer Loic Bigois should not be given all the blame. "Loic is an aerodynamics man, not a mechanical guy", says the driver. "Now there are many new people coming in, and he can concentrate on the aerodynamics programme. The new gearbox is very good, and shouldn't be a problem. Everything is new. The inside is very simple, but it works. I have a very good feeling for '99. I can see the new people, new car. I've spoken with everybody and the motivation is good. Also, I feel much better in my head after having my operation".

What he hadn't let on until after last season was that his Montreal injuries still troubled him. He raced throughout '98 with a Meccano set in both legs. Only after Suzuka were the pins and screws removed. "I wasn't thinking about it all the time, but I was sure that, if I crashed again, maybe F1 would be over", says the driver. "Now everything is normal. Of course, if you crash it's possible to have the mechanical bits fitted again. I didn't feel pain while driving, only after running, football, tennis, things like that".

Panis now heads into his sixth season with the team, even if the name has changed from Ligier to Prost. Sometimes it seems he's got a job for life. "I think to continue with one team is good", he counters. "The guy who won the championship last year stayed with McLaren for six years! I'm very happy to stay. I would like to win a race for Prost - the championship is maybe a long way away. I think just before I stop F1, I'll change teams - just to see another way of doing things".

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