Gary Paffett Joins List of Sauber Hopefuls

By Jamie Makin
July 23 2004

DTM (German Touring Car) star Gary Paffett has been added to the list of SAUBER PETRONAS hopefuls for next season. Although there is officially no vacant race seat for next season, it is very likely that Giancarlo Fisichella will be moving to either Williams or Renault.

Paffett joins a list of talented drivers including BAR-Honda tester Anthony Davidson, McLaren-Mercedes' David Coulthard and Mexican Champ Car star Mario Dominguez. His contract for Mercedes ends this season and team boss Norbert Haug is open to negotiate his release. "They (SAUBER) are interested, we'll see where it leads," Haug told the BBC. "It's possible he may have a test." This potential test could consist of Paffett running a third SAUBER during Friday practice for the Hungarian Grand Prix. It would be the first time that SAUBER have opted to run their third car and would give the team the chance to measure his performance against Anthony Davidson.

Gary Paffett has been touted as a rising star in the German Touring Car season. He was impressive during his rookie season last year, although he only finished 11th in the points. This year he already has three wins under his belt after seven races and sits 3rd in the standings ahead of teammate and reigning series champion Bernd Schneider. He also clinched the 2002 German Formula 3 Championship with seven wins and has six other championships to his credit in lower divisions.

Paffett has tested the McLaren-Mercedes formula one car and it seems inevitable that his career will lead to a race drive soon. "We've been talking to Sauber and two other teams," manager Martin Hines admitted to Motorsport News. "There is immense interest in Gary and Mercedes has now realised what it has under its wing."

In recent years SAUBER has introduced young stars Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa to the sport. It seems likely they will continue the trend by signing either Davidson or Paffett for next season.

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