Klien & Paffett in the frame as Honda test driver for 2007

[FourWheelDrift]

Since Anthony Davidson is going to be an Aguri-Honda race driver next year there's a vacancy in the Honda test team, both ex-Red Bull driver Christian Klien and McLaren test driver Gary Paffett have been mentioned. They have both been mentioned as being possibles for the 2nd Spyker seat alongside Christian Albers, so I think if one goes to Spyker the other will go to Honda. I'm not sure who'll be better off.

[kevin ritson]

Well, if the Honda test driver has to wait 4 years to get into a Super Aguri, I reckon the Spyker seat is the better option

[CALORUS]

Also far more likely that Honda would take back Davidson, than promote Paffett - Davidson has at least SEEMED fast.

[D-Angle]

kevin ritson said:

Well, if the Honda test driver has to wait 4 years to get into a Super Aguri, I reckon the Spyker seat is the better option

Actually, it's a pretty good move at the moment. Honda are starting to find some serious pace, and I get the feeling that Rubens will only be with them another year or so, he's more of a safe pair of hands than a set-the-world-alight kind of driver. Whoever gets the test role will probably also get first shot at a drive in a competitive car in a short while.

Of course, they would have to beat Ant to it, since I doubt Honda will let him go anywhere without an immediate recall clause, as they have insisted on with him in the past.

Aguri to announce their 2007 driver line-up later this month by the way...

[mg511]

If Rubens has another (relatively) poor season I can see him retiring, but unless Davidson has a 'mare of a season in the Aguri I think he'd get the Honda drive. It's probably a close call between the two but I'd go for the Spyker race seat.

[SamHH]

Interesting. I wonder if Paffett would be any better off in the long-term as a Honda test driver than a McLaren test driver. Unless Davidson is terrible at Super Aguri I don't think Paffett would get the Honda race seat, but I suppose he might go to SA.

[FourWheelDrift]

Here's some new of it too - www.grandprix.com/ns/ns17715.html

Seems Klien and his father/manager were guests of Honda in Brazil.