McLaren has confirmed it will part company with test and reserve driver Gary Paffett as it switches from Mercedes to Honda power next season.
Paffett, who has worked with McLaren since 2006, is employed by Mercedes DTM team, therefore McLaren don’t feel it would work to have Paffett testing and learning about Honda’s power unit whilst he remains under contract with a rival F1 engine manufacturer.
Paffett wished the team the best for the future: “I’ve loved working for McLaren and hope my feedback and input over the years has been beneficial. The engineers I’ve worked with have been kind enough to say that it has.
“I have many friends at McLaren, and I wish all of them the very best of luck for the future. Fingers crossed for a McLaren grand prix win or two next year!”
Jonathan Neale, acting CEO, added: “Gary has been an excellent member of the McLaren team for the best part of a decade, and his technical input, on test track and in simulator alike, has been hugely important to us. Just as important, he’s a great guy. We wish him well.”
