 Paffett tested for McLaren in 2002 |
Sauber have identified British driver Gary Paffett as a possible replacement for Giancarlo Fisichella if the Italian leaves the Formula One team. Paffett, 23, has tested for McLaren and currently drives for Mercedes in the German DTM touring car championship.
Mercedes boss Norbert Haug confirmed he had been approached by the Swiss team's boss Peter Sauber.
"They are interested, we'll see where it leads," Haug said, before the German GP. "It's possible he may have a test."
Paffett won a demonstration race in Shanghai at the weekend, while Sauber has close ties with the German car manufacturer.
Fisichella joined Sauber this season but has a clause in his contract allowing him to leave for a top team. Williams, searching for two drivers for 2005, are interested while Fisichella has also been linked with a return to former employers Renault if they fail to reach an agreement with Italian Jarno Trulli.
"Obviously there is a possibility that Giancarlo will leave the team so it is natural that Peter will start to look around," said a Sauber spokesman.
"We can go in two directions, an experienced driver or a young one. And if it is a young one then Gary would be a very interesting possibility."
Paffett's compatriot and former karting rival Anthony Davidson, the BAR reserve driver, has also been linked to Sauber after impressive performances in Friday test sessions at Grand Prix weekends.
Unconfirmed reports suggest Sauber have asked Mercedes for dispensation for Paffett to drive a third car on the Friday before next month's Hungarian Grand Prix.
A testing ban away from Grand Prix weekends is now in force until the end of August and Sauber have hitherto not run an extra car on race Fridays for cost reasons. Paffett's manager Martin Hines told Motorsport News that Mercedes might be reluctant for Paffett to disrupt his DTM preparations but there would be talks.
"We've been talking to Sauber and two other teams," he added. "There is immense interest in Gary and Mercedes has now realised what it has under its wing.
"Gary's contract with Mercedes ends this year and I'm 95% certain he will be in F1 next year.
"I'm not sure whether he'll be racing or testing but I'm confident he'll be able to carve an F1 career once people see how quick he is. I'm confident that a deal is just weeks, rather than months, away."
MMIX
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I'm 95% certain Gary will be in F1 next year 