Q & A with Gary Paffett

Q: How are you looking forward to working with Fernando and Lewis?

Gary Paffett: "I am really looking forward to working with Fernando. It's not every day that you get to work with a double Formula One World Champion. I feel he will bring a massive amount to the whole team.

"I have known Lewis for a long time as we both were Kart racing at a similar time. He knows he has some learning to do, but he has shown in GP2 that he's got a lot of talent."

Q: Do you wish you were in a race seat with the team?

Paffett: "Of course. Every drivers dream is to be a race driver in Formula One and I am no different. I will be doing my best to make that dream happen for 2008."

Q: What are your personal aims for 2007?

Paffett: "While helping the team develop the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-22 and building on my Formula One experience, I will also be contesting the DTM in Germany with Mercedes and hope to get back to winning some races again."

Q: What motivates you in your role as test driver for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes?

Paffett: "You get a great sense of achievement when the team does well. Even though you're not racing you know that you've been part of the development, and therefore helped the team succeed at the races."

Q: What are you thoughts on the MP4-22?

Paffett: "I haven't seen much of it yet but it sounds very promising. Over the winter testing we seem to have a stronger package than we did this time last year so I can't wait to see what the MP4-22 can give us."

Q: How have preparations been progressing with the MP4-22 at the McLaren Technology Centre and Mercedes-Benz HighPerformanceEngines?

Paffett: "We have been doing a massive amount of simulation work at the McLaren Technology Centre since the middle of last year, and we feel the development is going really well. HPE have a good understanding of the V8 engine and they seem to be making some fairly big steps forward."

Q: What makes you so passionate about Formula One?

Paffett: "It is the pinnacle of Motorsport and is racing at its highest level. As a driver there is nothing better than winning in Formula One . The cars are awesome and the competition is harder than anything else you will experience."