Zoom A dual role again for Paffett in 2008

Following his championship success in 2005 in the DTM series, Gary Paffett has combined the German touring car championship with testing duties with McLaren Mercedes. The British racer takes questions...

You have been with the team for just over two years now, what advantages as a test driver does that give you?
"I think if you are with the same team for a long time you get a real understanding of all the people there and the way they work. Also you gel with the team and you understand which direction they want to go in and how to do the job most productively."

The main difference in the regulations this year is the removal of driver aids, what input does the test driver have in developing the car around this? How much work has had to be done and what has been the main difference in driving?
"The main job for the test driver is to do all the initial simulation and track work to try and get the car as well adapted to the new rules and get the car as close to how it was before the changes. The work started a long time ago with Pedro and me using simulation to assist with the design of the 2008 car, which helps the engineers and gives them a direction to go in. This was then backed up with the first couple of 2008 focused track tests last year, which gave us a lot more data. With the removal of driver aids in particular we have been working to get the car as close to what the drivers will be comfortable in, so that they can just jump in the car without too much adjustment."

2007 was one of the closest seasons the sport has seen for many years, do you think that 2008 will be just as exciting?
"I think so, there were a lot of high points in 2007, with the competitiveness of the cars and also there were quite a few changes in the driver line-ups for most of the top teams, which all contributed to a very exciting season. There have been even more changes this year and so I think that should add a bit more spice, and it should be just as exciting this year if not more."

Favourite film?
"I don’t have a favourite film as such but the ‘Bourne’ series of films are all very good, and I would say as a trilogy they are all my favourite."

Favourite song / music track?
"I haven’t got one but ‘We are the Champions’ is always a song I like to hear for what it generally signifies."

Favourite actor?