The hot news is the...
The hot news is the all-new turbocharged engine for the Cooper S. The 1.6-litre motor replaces the old supercharged unit, promising more power and greater refinement
The British outfit has...
The British outfit has secured the final two places on next year’s F1 grid, and if all goes to plan, it will become the official McLaren-Mercedes B-team. As with Hamilton before him, Paffett is currently a test driver for McLaren – a role that puts him in a great position to secure a plum seat with the promising Prodrive set-up, should the proposed deal come to fruition.
“I think I’ve got a pretty good chance,” said Paffett. “The situation with Prodrive and McLaren seems to be getting closer, and if it happens, I’m quite confident that I will get the opportunity to race. Hopefully, it will be sorted out quickly.” Paffett’s F1 future could be confirmed as early as the British Grand Prix. If all the paperwork is completed in time, Prodrive is ready to announce its 2008 plans at Silverstone in July. In the meantime, the young Englishman is combining his testing duties at McLaren with racing for Mercedes in the DTM German touring car championship.
Paffett clinched the DTM title in 2005, and despite returning to the series in an elderly 2006 C-Class this year, he has already rediscovered his golden touch by winning the most recent round at Oschersleben in Germany. Empha÷sising Paffett’s ability, it was the first time in DTM history that a driver had finished on top while driving a one-year-old car.