Gary Paffett dominated the F3 series in 2002 at the age of 21. He soon moved up to DTM driving for Mercedes-Benz.
Paffett drove an up-to-date car in 2005, with five wins and four podium finishes. He beat out 2004 DTM Champion Mattias Ekstrom and led Mercedes once again to greatness in the German series.
Opting not to defend his title, he joined the McLaren-Mercedes Formula 1 team as a test driver. Paffett is still being linked to the Prodrive F1 project, which was supposed to form in 2008, but has not yet done so.
The McLaren-Mercedes F1 team still says he is a test driver in their program, but with Lewis Hamilton being the star he is and Heikki Kovalainen getting his first pole ever in Silverstone, the chances for Paffett to gain a seat are slim to none.
- B/R Ticket Guide
In 2007 however, after going nowhere in F1, he re-joined the Mercedes-Benz effort in DTM. With half of the 2008 season completed, Paffett only has two driver’s points and has been struggling all year. A driver who once was seen as a prodigy and future all-star is headed for a dead end.
Prodrive is still considering entering F1, possibly as early as 2009, and Paffett is contending for a seat. With his DTM efforts struggling, and no other offers in sight, if Paffett does not get a seat from Prodrive, his career may be over.
Sure, a couple more seasons in DTM may be in store for Paffett, but his results this season and last do not guarantee that, either.
A promising British driver’s career hangs in the balance of Prodrive and their efforts, and it is really sad because he does have the talent to be great. Perhaps he should try for the American Le Mans Series or Rolex Grand-Am Series, both in the United States.
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4 months ago
Great stuff, Sanjay, writing about DTM...
from 4 months ago
Thank you Adam. I lobbied Zander to start a Road Racing section where I'll definitely be talking about DTM, ALMS, Rolex, and V8 Supercars more and more.
4 months ago
He is still actually registered as McLaren test driver in F1 and is still getting the odd test, as of late he hasnt because the test tracks have been set at the tracks the week before the actualy GP on that particular track and the team have seen it more beneficial to let the 1st and 2nd drivers gain more experience before race weekend but he is certainly still there. As you said though, chances of him getting a drive are very slim, he is also playing 2nd fiddle as test driver to Pedro De La Rosa who is an ex McLaren driver who just doesnt ever go away, that kid is loyal so maybe he should be looking to get on a Le Mans team or something ? Good Luck Gary, he has done McLaren proud, I know I wouldnt leave that set up though, as long as they where paying me. Its one of the greatest teams on earth to be involved with.
from 4 months ago
No doubt it's a great team, but like you said, it'd be hard for him to get a seat. He has to look elsewhere because he does have a lot of talent and he just needs a seat to show it.
4 months ago
I still think he has a huge chance of getting into f1. look at bourdais, he is touching 30 and this is his first season, that gives Paffett at least 3 years to get a drive. To be onest, I was surprised that that he wasn't announced as a partner to Lewis this season.
from 4 months ago
If he does have a chance at F1 I believe it's with Prodrive, who wants a British driver, but McLaren won't be providing him with such an opportunity.
4 months ago
It would be nice to see Gary Paffett as a full time F1 driver, but that's competition for you. Great contribution to the F1 and auto racing section Sanjay! Hope to see more of it :)
from 4 months ago
Thank you! Seeing as to how I won't become a race car driver anytime soon, I'll let him have the seat haha.
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