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FORMULA ONE: Oliver Panis signs for BAR Honda

18 August 2000

Lucky Strike BAR Honda today announced that Olivier Panis will partner
Jacques Villeneuve for the 2001 Formula One season.   

Commenting on the new signing, British American Racing Managing Director,
Craig Pollock, said, "Any decision concerning our driver line-up is a
complex matter and had to be carefully considered. Ours is a young team
and one that has set itself some ambitious performance targets. We have
made good progress this year, but we have to keep the pressure on to raise
our game. Olivier Panis is an experienced Grand Prix driver, a highly
rated test driver and a proven race winner, and we believe his knowledge
and ability will assist the team greatly.
 
"I want to thank Ricardo Zonta for his continuing efforts. There are still
five races left this season and he can be assured of our support in his
efforts to achieve the best possible results. He is undoubtedly a talented
young man and will always have a special place within the team as one of
our original drivers. We certainly wish him well for the future."

Said Takefumi Hosaka - Managing Director, Honda R&D: "We are all looking
forward to working with Olivier next year. I hope that he will find it
easy to fit into the team and that we can quickly get good results
together. I would also like to reaffirm our support for Ricardo. Honda
will do everything it can to help him for the rest of the season."