Renault link key to Pic's Caterham move - Panis
Some raised their eyebrows when Charles Pic agreed to switch from Marussia to Caterham...
Feb.11 (GMM) Caterham's links with French manufacturer Renault was key to Charles Pic's Marussia switch.
That is the claim of Olivier Panis, the former Grand Prix winner who is now deeply involved with the management of countryman Pic's F1 career.
"We were very pleased with the collaboration with Marussia," Panis insisted to the Russian website f1news.ru.
"But for the future we wanted to have a serious partner, and when a company like Renault wants to work with you - we hope for many years - it is impossible to say no," added the former BAR and Toyota driver.
"So this was the main reason."
Meanwhile, Panis said Pic is happy to be paired with Giedo van der Garde this year, after the highly experienced and rated Heikki Kovalainen was ousted.
"Last year Charles learned a lot from Timo (Glock), so now I think that factor is not so important.
"Personally, I don't mind. An experienced teammate is fine, but we are happy with Giedo. He also deserves a chance to show what he can do," said Panis.
Share Or Save This Story
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
Pirelli chief calls for radical F1 overhaul
On this day: Olivier Panis takes only F1 win in chaotic Monaco GP
Gallery: The drivers and teams of F1 1997
Exclusive: Panis says ART’s Vasseur would “do the job” for Renault F1
Eight shock Formula 1 team principal changes
The remarkable tale of F1’s unlikeliest team 'boss'
Kobayashi: “I think F1 underestimates the WEC”
The wide world of strategy options expected in F1's Bahrain GP in Malaysia
Max Verstappen responds to George Russell: "Maybe I should take him to the sauna!"
How the FIA plans to differentiate between Rally1 and Rally2 in WRC 2027
“Too slow” Marco Bezzecchi baffled by lack of pace in Japanese GP sprint
The wide world of strategy options expected in F1's Bahrain GP in Malaysia
How drivers waiting in the wings can still make their presence count in F1
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 Bahrain GP in Malaysia
The hidden F1 performance differentiator nobody is talking about in 2026
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments