Paffett wins German title

Gary Paffett became the first Englishman to win the German Formula 3 Championship at Hockenheim today (Saturday) after title rival Kousuke Matsuura failed to win the race to take the title down to the wire at tomorrow's final round

Oct 5, 2002, 3:00 PM

Matsuura crashed out on the opening lap when he was squeezed on to the grass by Paffett's team-mate Kimmo Liimatainen at the high-speed Parabolika curve. With his car beached in the gravel, Kousuke's title dream was over.

Japan's Matsuura, who trailed Paffett by 18 points before the race, needed to win both races to scoop the title. The PREMA driver's victory at Zandvoort last weekend was only his second of the season.

Paffett, 21, joins the likes of modern-day Formula 1 stars Michael Schumacher, Jarno Trulli and Nick Heidfeld as German F3 champion. He has won seven races this year in his Team Rosberg Dallara-Opel F302, including today's race at Hockenheim.

"This title means everything to me," said Paffett. "This was an excellent way to win it. I have been winning championships all my life, but this is the most important. Everyone watches Formula 3 and knows how hard it is to win a championship."