No Sauber test for Paffett

The Briton, a former McLaren Autosport BRDC Award winner, had been due to test for Sauber next month with a view to being considered for a race seat, or even a third driver opportunity, with the team.

But the speed by which Sauber entered talks with Villeneuve and concluded its contract negotiations has forced the team to change its plans. Paffett and DTM rival Christijan Albers, who had also been due to get a test in the Sauber at Jerez from October 12-14, will no longer be given a run because the team has already finalized its line-up.

Villeneuve himself is due to get his first run for Sauber at the team's Barcelona test from November 24-26, the first running of the winter following F1's annual winter testing break. Further tests are planned from December 1-3 (Jerez) and December 7-9 (Barcelona).

Sauber is running International F3000 Champion Vitantonio Liuzzi at Jerez in Spain today and he remains a possibility for the third driver role if he impresses.

Paffett's DTM contract with Mercedes-Benz runs out at the end of this year, although it is not clear what his future plans are. He has openly talked about returning to single seaters.