 Panis defied the conditions to win the Monaco Grand Prix in 1996 |
Toyota driver Olivier Panis is to retire from Formula One at the end of the year, after 12 years in the sport. The Frenchman, whose career highlight was winning in Monaco in heavy rain in 1996, originally retired in 2004 but came back as a test driver.
"I know it is time for me to move on and fulfil my wish to race again," said Panis, whose 12-month contract as a test driver is about to expire.
"I am looking forward to new racing challenges outside F1."
Panis enjoyed a 10-year racing career in F1, winning in Monaco with Ligier and finishing second on three occasions.
His last race was with Toyota in Japan in 2004.
Toyota said they were close to an agreement with French driver Franck Montagny, who raced for Super Aguri this year, to join as their official reserve and test driver next season.
Brazilian Ricardo Zonta, Toyota's other regular test driver, is joining Renault and is likely to be replaced by a youngster from inside the team's young driver programme.
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