Prost Backs Panis Role.

Former boss Alain Prost believes that Olivier Panis' move to McLaren could be the best thing for his career.


Despite not retaining the Frenchman at his eponymous team, Prost is convinced that a season acting as test driver for McLaren could put Panis in high demand for the 2001 campaign, particularly if he is able to get a good working knowledge of the cars he will be driving. The 1996 Monaco GP winner is set to join the Woking outfit as test and reserve driver as soon as F1 testing restarts in December, and is expected to dovetail the role with a Mercedes drive in the new German DTM saloon series.


"Olivier becoming test driver for McLaren is a very good thing for him," Prost said, "At the end of the season, he will be in a position to return to Formula One with a very good team, and to secure a driver who has the knowledge of McLaren and Mercedes would interest many teams."


Panis position at McLaren may yet be brief, however, as he is being mentioned in connection with a possible drive with Williams, should the Grove outfit decide to dispense with the struggling Alex Zanardi.