Gary Paffett Tests In F1

[Renn 208]

http://www.bnzsport.com/articles/96984305112801_MB_F1_Test_Paffett.jpg
Gary Paffett Tests Team McLaren Mercedes

Barcelona, 28 November 2005. – DTM Champion Gary Paffett tested a Team McLaren Mercedes Formula One car at Barcelona today. This test had been promised to Gary after he had won the 2005 DTM Championship at Hockenheim on 23 October.

Paffett drove the interim car MP4-20B, which had been adjusted to test the new Mercedes-Benz V8 engine FO 108S for the 2006 season. The 24-year-old Englishman covered a total of 58 laps (268 kms) and set a best time of 1:20.588. Alexander Wurz, who also tested an MP4-20B with the new V8 engine, completed 11 laps (51 kms) and posted a best lap of 1:20.664.

It was not the first Formula One drive for Gary Paffett. At the end of 2002 and the be-ginning of 2003 he had tested three times for Team McLaren Mercedes. This had been part of the "McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year Award" he had received in 1999. This year, Gary Paffett has also been involved in the Formula One simulation programme at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking.
Gary Paffett will continue testing at Barcelona on Tuesday. In addition he will take part in two more Team McLaren Mercedes test days at Jerez, Spain on 7 and 8 December.

Gary Paffett: "I'm really happy to drive a Formula One car again after more than two years, and I particularly enjoy that I can test with Team McLaren Mercedes. I gained a lot of experience and completed more than 250 kilometres. For me, cornering speeds and braking were most impressive. However, in my opinion the difference between the DTM and the Formula One car is not as big as it was between the Formula 3 and the Formula One car three years ago. Cooperating with the technicians I benefited a lot from my experience in the DTM. I'm already looking forward to continue testing tomorrow."

http://www.bnzsport.com/articles/96981705112802_MB_F1_Test_Paffett.jpg

Mercedes-Benz Motorsportchef Norbert Haug: "This test was not only a reward for Gary's DTM title win. Gary is also integrated in our development programme for the new season. During his 58 laps with our new V8 engine today he provided the technicians with valuable data. Our test team was satisfied with Gary's job on the first day of our preparation programme for the new season; he had a good start with the team."

[Brabus]

Awesome! Maybe a hopeful someone to replace the unreliable JPM :P

[Renn 208]

...and the latest news:

F1: Paffett is Team McLaren Mercedes Test Driver

Stuttgart, Dec 21, 2005
Gary will form an integral part of the development of the team's 2006 World Championship challenger the MP4-21 in the months to come together with Kimi Raikkonen, Juan Pablo Montoya and Pedro de la Rosa.

Gary's relationship with the team began in December 1999 when he was awarded the prestigious 'McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year Award'. As a result of winning the Award, Gary conducted his first Formula One test with Team McLaren Mercedes in 2000 and since then he has helped the team with both its testing and simulation work on a regular basis. In 2003 Gary joined Mercedes-Benz in the DTM Championship and went on to claim the title in 2005.

"I'm really excited about this opportunity and the challenges ahead," said Gary. "This is the culmination of my continuous relationship with McLaren and Mercedes-Benz. For my efforts to be officially recognised by one of the most successful Formula One teams and reaching my goal of getting a regular Formula One seat is a fantastic feeling. I have really enjoyed my time in the DTM Championship and being able to also continue my relationship with Mercedes-Benz in this manner is the icing on the cake. I'm 100 per cent committed to my role as a Team McLaren Mercedes test driver and can't wait to start the 2006 testing programme. I want to thank everybody who has helped me achieve this goal - it wouldn't have been possible without their support."

"We are certain that Gary is the right choice as Team McLaren Mercedes test driver and are pleased to welcome him to the team," said Martin Whitmarsh, CEO Formula One, Team McLaren Mercedes. "In order to achieve our objective of winning races and World Championship we have to employ the best drivers available and Gary definitely fits into this category. He has been involved with McLaren and Mercedes-Benz since winning the 'McLaren Autosport Young Driver Award' and we are pleased that the right opportunity came along at the right time. Gary is committed to the work laying ahead of him and everybody at McLaren look forward to his contribution."

"Whilst we are pleased to welcome Gary to the team, we are still in discussion with Alex Wurz regarding his future and will announce our plans in due course," continues Martin Whitmarsh.

Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport said: "Gary deserved his chance and he has seized it. In the last two years in the DTM Championship he proved his talent against tough competition. Since he started taking part in the team's Formula One tests on the 28th November, Gary has completed a total of more than 1,100 kilometres and convinced the team of his capabilities. His promotion to the Formula One team demonstrates that DTM is also a springboard for young talents who can make their way through touring cars to the top category of motor sport."

[Brabus]

Yeah, I wonder what's going to happen to Wurz... and then on 07, I hope JPM gets the boot!

[Renn 208]

Originally posted by Brabus@Dec 21 2005, 02:48 PM
Yeah, I wonder what's going to happen to Wurz... and then on 07, I hope JPM gets the boot!
looks like Alex has gone to Williams Cosworth for this season. He'll continue to be in the 3rd seat next to Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg.