VIDEO - Relive Olivier Panis' victory in Monaco in 1996

Twenty-six years later, Olivier Panis' victory in Monaco still arouses just as much emotion and pride, as the race was spectacular and its outcome uncertain.

Published on 19/05/2022 à 18:35

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VIDEO – Relive Olivier Panis’ victory in Monaco in 1996

Olivier Panis enjoys it, he wins in the Principality for the first time in his career @DPPI OLIVIER PANIS

For a long, long time, it was the last victory of a Frenchman in Formula 1. Olivier Panis' victory in Monaco in 1996 has for many years nourished the memories of the most fervent fans of the premier category of motorsport, as have articles in the French press. It was just twenty-six years ago, we suggest you watch it again. It must be said that we never really get tired of it.

An indecisive, unexpected victory...

Already in 1996, a Schumacher and Verstappen were already roaming the F1 paddocks and were – at least for one – the heyday of the championship. Twenty-six years later, this sentence still makes sense. Not necessarily in the same direction. But that day in Monaco, the two drivers distinguished themselves by retiring from the first turns of the Grand Prix, in rain which inevitably reshuffled the cards. On pole this Sunday, Michael Schumacher is dropped from the start by Damon Hill, who takes the lead of the race, before the German makes a mistake in the first straight of the Portier. Olivier Panis has not yet shown the tip of his nose. And for good reason, the Ligier driver is only fourteenth on the starting grid, only twelfth after the fifth lap of the race.

This start of the Grand Prix is real carnage. The circuit is completely wet, and gives the effect of a real ice rink. Only Damon Hill in the lead survives in this slump. For his part, Panis is starting his little journey in the pack. He gained the upper hand over Brundle and Häkkinen, then over Frentzen, whose setbacks on the track he took advantage of.

The Lyonnais especially tried the bet of slick tires, very early in the race, in addition to having left with a full tank of fuel at the start, allowing him to save a lot of time during his pit stop. Panis is fourth. He succinctly took advantage, after having defeated Irvine at the cost of a daring maneuver in Loews, of the mechanical problems of Damon Hill, still in the lead, and of Alesi, returning to the pits with suspension problems, to take the lead. leading the race and winning brilliantly in the streets of the Principality, for his one and only victory in F1. And not the least.

>>> THE VIDEO OF OLIVIER PANIS’ VICTORY IN MONACO 1996 <<