Gary Paffett to F1?

[kevinday]

Sauber have expressed interest in Gary Paffett as a possible replacement for Fisichella should Fisi move to another team. Having watched GP in DTM it would be interesting to see him in F1. He has shown he has the ability with the Merc, let's see what he can do in an open-wheeler.

[john75]

Knowing Suaber I guess he will need to get Martin Hines to find him some serious money to get that seat.

[FourWheelDrift]

Fisichella might be on the move. His Sauber contract says if Williams, Ferrari or McLaren want him he can leave, but Renault are interested and a pay off from them could fund Gary's drive. They are looking for the next Raikkonen, could he be?

[jimmyc412t2]

Paffet has won most of the ranks on the way up. and i don't get the feeling he's had it particularly easy. German F3 into a year old DTM car (prior to this year) is hardly the Raikonnen fast track is it!

I think he's a promising prospect

[FourWheelDrift]

jimmyc412t2 said:

is hardly the Raikonnen fast track is it! I think he's a promising prospect

I do too, I meant the new Raikkonen as in the next top young F1 driver.

[jamesc]

I met Gary while helping Tom Wheatley in FVJ. It would be great if he got into F1. He reminds me of Mansell; his driving style is never give up!

[jimmyc412t2]

FourWheelDrift said:

jimmyc412t2 said: is hardly the Raikonnen fast track is it! I think he's a promising prospect I do too, I meant the new Raikkonen as in the next top young F1 driver.

I know what you mean My point was that lots of teams are trying to find Raikkonens (ie Jag and Klien) then wonder why they struggle. They need to realise that Kimi is a freak incident (like most top-drawer drivers) - he can just do it. Other drivers need time to gain experience.

F1 teams are so daft when it comes to things like this. Sauber pick one amazing driver out of Formula Renault and the whole Formula starts testing babies who seemed racy on their first bike!

Paffet has had to try hard and drive a range of stuff. Its not been easy and he's had to fight. It means a bit of gritty determination and experience and it will stand him in good stead.

Remember that Mark Webber had a similar path drving all sorts of different cars (and one or two Mercedes "aircraft" ) before getting to F1 and it did him no harm whatsoever.

Hope he gets it...not that i have anytihng against Davidson mind. Its just Paffet derserves a shot!

[speedway]

I agree with all the sentiments mentioned here. Not only is Gary a great driver, he's also a top bloke. It would be fantastic to see him in the Sauber.