Mar.9 (GMM) Gary Paffett will be McLaren’s F1 reserve driver at least until the 2010 DTM season starts.
With long-time primary tester Pedro de la Rosa returning to the grid this year with Sauber, team boss Martin Whitmarsh said recently that even though the Briton Paffett remains in his secondary role, McLaren needs “another driver”.
28-year-old Paffett has occasionally tested McLarens for the past multiple years, but he is once again signed up to race with Mercedes-Benz in DTM in 2010.
The German touring car series’ calendar kicks off at the end of April.
Before then, formula one will race in Bahrain, Australia, Malaysia and China, and McLaren confirmed on Tuesday that Paffett will be the reserve driver at each of these grands prix.
“Gary has been on the team since 2006 and we value his dedication and technical feedback,” said Whitmarsh.
“We need someone who’s ready to step in if anything should happen to prevent Jenson or Lewis from taking part in a grand prix weekend.
“We know from working with Gary, and from watching his performances in other racing categories, that he’s ready and able to take on this responsibility,” he added.
McLaren also announced on Tuesday that the logo of the Polish brokerage house X-Trade Brokers will appear on the airbox of the MP4-25 in 2010.
