Gary will form an integral part of the development of the team's 2006 World Championship challenger the MP4-21 in the months to come together with Kimi Raikkonen, Juan Pablo Montoya and Pedro de la Rosa.

Gary's relationship with the team began in December 1999 when he was awarded the prestigious 'McLaren Autosport Young Driver of the Year Award'. As a result of winning the Award, Gary conducted his first Formula One test with Team McLaren Mercedes in 2000 and since then he has helped the team with both its testing and simulation work on a regular basis. In 2003 Gary joined Mercedes-Benz in the DTM Championship and went on to claim the title in 2005.

"I'm really excited about this opportunity and the challenges ahead," said Gary. "This is the culmination of my continuous relationship with McLaren and Mercedes-Benz. For my efforts to be officially recognised by one of the most successful Formula One teams and reaching my goal of getting a regular Formula One seat is a fantastic feeling. I have really enjoyed my time in the DTM Championship and being able to also continue my relationship with Mercedes-Benz in this manner is the icing on the cake. I'm 100 per cent committed to my role as a Team McLaren Mercedes test driver and can't wait to start the 2006 testing programme. I want to thank everybody who has helped me achieve this goal - it wouldn't have been possible without their support."

"We are certain that Gary is the right choice as Team McLaren Mercedes test driver and are pleased to welcome him to the team," said Martin Whitmarsh, CEO Formula One, Team McLaren Mercedes. "In order to achieve our objective of winning races and World Championship we have to employ the best drivers available and Gary definitely fits into this category. He has been involved with McLaren and Mercedes-Benz since winning the 'McLaren Autosport Young Driver Award' and we are pleased that the right opportunity came along at the right time. Gary is committed to the work laying ahead of him and everybody at McLaren look forward to his contribution."

"Whilst we are pleased to welcome Gary to the team, we are still in discussion with Alex Wurz regarding his future and will announce our plans in due course," continues Martin Whitmarsh.

Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport said: "Gary deserved his chance and he has seized it. In the last two years in the DTM Championship he proved his talent against tough competition. Since he started taking part in the team's Formula One tests on the 28th November, Gary has completed a total of more than 1,100 kilometres and convinced the team of his capabilities. His promotion to the Formula One team demonstrates that DTM is also a springboard for young talents who can make their way through touring cars to the top category of motor sport."

GARY PAFFETT BIOGRAPHY

Nationality: British
Date of Birth: 24.03.1981
Place of Birth: Bromley, England
Marital Status: Married to Lisa: one son (Harvey)
Height: 1.75m
Weight: 76kg
Resident: Haverhill, England
Favourite Music: Coldplay, James Blunt, Keane, Goldfrapp
Hobbies: Karting, football, golf, computers and games
Website: www.garypaffett.com

FORMULA ONE
2006	Team McLaren Mercedes Test Driver
COMPETITION HISTORY
2005	Champion in the DTM (German Touring Car Masters) with AMG-Mercedes C-Class and the HWA team: five wins, four pole positions. Announced as Team McLaren Mercedes Test driver in December.
2004	DTM runner-up Series with AMG-Mercedes C-Class and the HWA team: four wins, one pole position.
2003	Gary competed in one F3000 race before signing for DTM with Rosberg's Mercedes AMG team. He finished 11th overall.
2002	Winner of the German F3 Championship never losing the lead throughout the championship.
2001	German F3 Championship racing with Keke Rosberg's race team; finished 6th overall.
2000	BRDC Formula 3 Scholarship Class Champion, 13 wins, 13 fastest laps, 13 pole positions.
2000	BRDC Silver Award Winner, The youngest driver ever to be awarded a BRDC silver award.
1999	Formula Vauxhall Junior Champion; two track records, four wins, five fastest laps, three pole positions; Awarded McLaren Autosport BRDC Young Driver of the Year.
1998	Formula Vauxhall Junior Class B Champion; 13 fastest laps, 13 poles, 13 races. Won every race of the year; the only class �B� car to set a track record.
1997	Winner of the Formula Vauxhall Junior Winter Series; Best newcomer.
1996	MSA-RAC second in the British Junior ICA Championship.
1996	McLaren Mercedes Karting Champion of the Future.
1995	Second in the Junior ICA European Championship.
1995	British Junior TKM Champion.
1994	Second in the British Junior TKM Championship.
1993	Third in the British Cadet Championships.

Latest Formula 1 News from McLaren Mercedes:

Vodafone McLaren Mercedes unveiled in Valencia (15/12/2007)
McLaren MP4-22 Technical Specifications (15/12/2007)
McLaren MP4-22 Design Philosophy (15/12/2007)
Team Personnel Q & A's (15/12/2007)
Lewis Hamilton to partner Fernando Alonso in 2007 (24/11/2006)
de la Rosa replaces Montoya (11/07/2006)
Valencia Test Notes (15/02/2006)
Valencia Test Notes (14/02/2006)
Jerez Test Notes (11/02/2006)
McLaren unveil new livery for 2006 (10/02/2006)

More news from McLaren Mercedes F1

The Official Tribute To Ayrton Senna
1960 To 1994

Official 2004 F1 Season Review

Autocourse 2004 Annual

F1 World Championship Yearbook 2004

Formula 1 Technical Analysis: 2003

The Science of
F1 Design

Race Car Chassis:
Design and Construction

Going Faster: Mastering
the Art of Race Driving

Auto Magazines

Formula 1 Titles

Race Driving Titles

Race Car Design Titles

Ayrton Senna

Past Formula 1 Drivers

Formula 1 News - December 2005McLaren Mercedes

Formula 1 News - December 2005
McLaren Mercedes