rpm.espn.com: Users: Panis an under-rated competitor

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Thursday, January 17

Users: Panis an under-rated competitor

ESPN.com

Here's what users had to say about BAR's Olivier Panis and his future prospects:

Panis is a better driver than his 15th-place finish last year. I think his placing is more indicative of BAR's 2001 car. He's a solid second driver who, with a better car, should rank in the 7-10 range overall by season's end.

Allen Quail
Birmingham, Mich.

Olivier is not as good as Jacques Villeneuve, but he is a solid and consistant driver who is better than most of the field. I think the only reason Olivier outperformed Villeneuve earlier in the 2001 season was due to Villeneuve's disappointment with the BAR003 and as a result he was probably not giving 100 percent. Panis will make the most of what he has got. If the BAR004 is a car capable and reliable car, Panis will be up right up front ... behind Villeneuve. If the car is once again middle of the pack material expect to see Panis outperform the dejected Villeneuve.

Shaun
Virginia

Panis is still one of the best drivers out there. Still plagued by a horrible car, he managed fourth place. Villeneuve only managed a single podium finish and Panis managed it on a more difficult track. Given the right equipment, Panis is always one of the fastest guys on any circuit, and an excellent tester (certain teammates are not known for thier testing and communication prowess). Besides, he wrangled a win out of the old Prost team at Monte Carlo, which no one has managed since (or points for that matter). Panis holds all the point scoring records for the likely nonexistant Prost team (Note: tears being shed). Get Olivier a better ride and look out (especially if the new BAR004 is as exciting as Jacques seemed to indicate before heading off for skiing this week.)

Fred
Oakland

Panis is not a better bet for BAR than Villeneuve. He is an approximately equal bet. Of course, he had some luck on his side last season, but no more luck than his talent led him to deserve. Not a particularly memorable run for either Olivier or Jacques in 2001, but one can only drive inferior machinery so well. Both drivers are capable of placing in the points consistently.

William Hope
Seattle

Olivier Panis had nothing to lose in his comeback to F1 with BAR. The expectations everyone had for him were very low, therefore he had no pressure. He is, however, a better than average driver, bringing a Prost/Ligier home to a Monaco victory in the wet. The only thing he doesn't have on his side is time. While turning 36, he will be the eldest driver in F1.

Jerry Olcsvary
Princeton, N.J.

I believe at the level of Formula One there is very little luck and a lot more chance/risk involved. The car is a huge indicator on how a team will perform, but I can tell apart the Schumachers and Montoyas from the Villeneuves and Irvines, which is their aggressive but smart driving styles, it is fun to watch them qualify and see how each driver handles a certain corner. As for Panis and Villeneuve, I believe they are equally very average drivers on a very average team -- and it is a toss up on one or the other getting the same result BAR received last year.

Burt Roberts
Boise, Idaho

Panis is as soft spoken a man as it gets, and in 2001 it was especially difficult to get a read on him, mainly because Villeneuve was confusedly inconsistent. With Panis, it's a case where the car is making the driver, because BAR has been virtually standing still since its inception. If Panis and BAR don't produce in 2002, changes will be made -- guaranteed.

Patrick Heber
East Lansing, Mich.

Panis is a good driver, no doubt about it. You don't win at Monaco (in a Ligier, at that) without some sort of talent. But let's face it, BAR will turn out to be another backmarker team that will be gone soon enough. The results aren't there and the cars are completely awful. I just read a great article explaining how last year's BAR had a tremendous chassis flex problem at the front of the car. Panis won't be able to shine once again with this sorry team.

Todd Michaels
Sanford, Fla.

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