Williams has hired long-time McLaren tester Gary Paffett to be its new simulator driver.
Paffett, who races for Mercedes in the DTM, will work with the team’s vehicle science department to develop the new FW38 chassis.
The 2005 DTM champion has covered over 22,000 kilometres as a Formula One test driver.
Deputy team principal Claire Williams described Paffett as “a highly professional racing driver”. “His level of testing knowledge, and ability to analyse data, will significantly help to drive forward development of the FW38 throughout the season,” she added.
2016 F1 season
- Which was F1’s best down-to-the-wire title fight?
- Are tickets too dear? Crowds fell at some tracks in 2016
- F1’s TV audience decline stopped in 2016
- Brawn among key F1 hires announced by Liberty
- Has F1 hit ‘peak penalties’? Fewer sanctions in 2016
jerejj
2nd February 2016, 11:48
I’d love to drive an F1 simulator for a living.
Todfod (@todfod)
2nd February 2016, 11:57
I guess Paffett got tired of driving GP2 simulators.
Jakob
2nd February 2016, 12:24
Bahaha. That comment just made my day. Thank you, sir :)
Robert McKay
2nd February 2016, 12:24
Does he get to drive the actual car at some point? How do you calibrate what the simulator is like to drive if you never drive the real one?
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
2nd February 2016, 17:10
And why employ someone to do it when you’ve got two racing car drivers on the payroll, plus a reserve driver as well?
RaceProUK (@)
2nd February 2016, 20:03
Because you can have him in the simulator while the race and reserve drivers are at the track
Stephen Crowsen (@drycrust)
3rd February 2016, 1:55
Thanks, I guess that does make sense.
markp
2nd February 2016, 12:34
As the McLaren simulator is so good it clearly broke down every 2 laps just like the real cars. He will get a lot more simulator time at Williams
Fixy (@)
2nd February 2016, 19:55
Of course Paffett left McLaren some time ago. I think his experience will be valuable to counter-weight Lynn’s young age, while Massa and Bottas have enough to do in the car. Happy to see him back!
Iestyn Davies (@fastiesty)
3rd February 2016, 12:01
@fixy Yep, and apparently Stanaway, who was doing a lot of sim work last year, is probably heading to Lotus/Renault
Sergio B. Perez (@sergio-perez)
3rd February 2016, 4:28
I would say its related to him being a Mercedes driver and, well, it would be uncofortable for a works Mercedes DTM driver to be driving for a Mclaren Honda team. Williams Mercedes makes more sense.