B.A.R bid Panis a fond farewell.

It was a disappointing end to the season for Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda but in the garage the champagne was still flowing as the team prepared to say a fond farewell to Olivier Panis, who leaves B.A.R to join Toyota next year.

There's no doubting the fact that Panis will be missed by the whole of the 300+ strong Brackley based squad, and not least of all by his hard working race crew. His Engineer for the last two years has been David Lloyd.

"I've worked with Olivier for two years at B.A.R," he explains. "The first few months of working with a new driver are always about learning their language in terms of talking about the car but in the case of Olivier it's been really useful working with an experienced driver. He was able to come in and tell me straight away exactly what he wanted because of all the experience he brought with him from McLaren and Prost.

"He's got a very good feel for the car mechanically and for all the electronic systems as well. That helps a lot. Also, he's very quick and you know that he's getting the maximum out of the car so you're not trying to find three tenths somewhere in him! Being quick and having experience are the two qualities in Olivier that have been very helpful to me as an engineer. He points me in the right direction when I'm trying to look at data, for example. If I'd been working with a brand new driver early in my career it would have been a lot harder, I'm sure. Olivier has been really easy and very good to work with throughout his time with B.A.R. He will be sorely missed by the whole team."

Likewise, Jacques Villeneuve, his team-mate at Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda, has nothing but praise for the Frenchman and has enjoyed working with him throughout his tenure with the team.

"Olivier has been a great team mate," he says. "We got along really well. He's a good driver - very fast and very professional so it was a great relationship."

For Olivier himself, this is a time of mixed emotions. He's clearly very excited about the opportunity he has to lead Toyota through what is normally a tough second year for F1 teams, but at the same time is sad to say goodbye to so many familiar faces.

"When you have a good relationship with the team; the mechanics, the technical staff, the marketing and PR people, everyone, it is always sad to say goodbye," he says. "I will miss all the people at Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda very much and although it hasn't always been easy on the track, I have enjoyed my time here.

"If things had worked out differently, perhaps I could have stayed with the team, but it wasn't to be," continues Olivier. "I think everyone understands why I am leaving - this opportunity with Toyota is a very exciting one for me and gives me a secure future. But I will miss working with everyone here."

Jenson Button replaces Olivier at Lucky Strike B.A.R Honda next year and there is no doubt that his appointment is an exciting one for a team entering its fifth season in Formula One. Good as the young British charger undoubtedly will be though, he still has a tough act to follow - on and off the track. Au revoir, Olivier!