AUGUST 11, 1997

Panis on schedule

OLIVIER PANIS is on schedule to make his return to the Prost Formula 1 team at the Italian Grand Prix in September.

OLIVIER PANIS is on schedule to make his return to the Prost Formula 1 team at the Italian Grand Prix in September. Panis is still at the Centre Reeducation et de Readaptation Sportive at Treboul-Douarnenez in the Brittany region of western France and is now walking unaided. The Prost team has sent him a chassis and he is now working with the pedals to try to ensure that he has the necessary strength in his legs when he returns to the F1 cockpit.

If everything goes to plan Olivier will test for Prost after the Belgian Grand Prix and if all goes well will be back in the Prost Mugen at Monza. If this happens Jarno Trulli will probably return to Minardi and Tarso Marques will find himself out of a job. Trulli is believed to be under option to Prost for next season although it should be noted that if Giancarlo Fisichella manages to get out of his contract, Trulli may be called in to drive for Benetton.