Gary Paffett has not taken the traditional route up through the ranks as he bids to join the Formula One grid. With a background in karting, Paffett competed in Formula Vauxhall Junior, winning every race of the season in the 'B' class. The following year he moved up a class and took the outright title with four wins.

A move to British F3 in the Scholarship class saw another dominant display and another championship success before Paffett headed to German to join the Rosberg F3 team. Sixth in 2001, he took the title the following season and then moved to the German Touring Car championship with Rosberg.

11th with Rosberg in 2003, Paffett moved to HWA in 2004 and finished second in the championship before taking the title the following year. With his strong connections with Mercedes, Paffett joined McLaren Mercedes in 2006 as test driver.

Paffett had very little running with McLaren in 2007, but remains with the team in 2008 and will also compete again in the DTM championship.