Brundle in contention to replace Panis

Martin Brundle is prepared to abandon the television commentary box for a return to the cockpit of a Formula One car as replacement for the injured Oli- vier Panis, writes Derick Allsop.

Along with Emmanuel Collard, who is to take part in private testing with the Prost- Mugen-Honda team at Magny-Cours this week, Brundle has emerged as a candidate following Panis's heavy crash during Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix.

Alain Prost, the team principal, is now seeking a new senior driver to take over for the French Grand Prix on Sunday week, the team's home race.

Brundle, who drove for the then Ligier team in 1993 and 1995, is an obvious contender. "I would have to be interested," he said.

He feared that at the age of 38 his grand prix days were over, but admits he is still "hurting" after his exclusion from the class of 1997.

He has a release clause in his ITV contract which would enable him to take a F1 drive, although he would still require the blessing of the TWR Arrows organisation, where he has the role of test driver and director.