Before the end of the 2009 season, everyone was hopeful to land one of the 6 new racing spots up for grabs for the upcoming campaign, created by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) via the 3 new teams allowed to enter the series in 2010. However, the chances to secure a job are just as high as if only one racing seat was available, as long as you don’t have the money to pay for it, argued Paffett.
“We have been looking (at F1), but even with all the new teams coming in, it's not easy to get a race seat. It seems like most of the new teams require you to have a fair few million pounds in the bank, or that much sponsorship to give the team, so it's more difficult to get a race-seat even though there's more available,” said Paffett, in an interview with Autosport.
“The teams are struggling budget-wise and it's not easy to lay your hands on a lot of money. We've been looking at opportunities, but there don't seem to be that many available,” added the British driver.
Paffett had been linked with a good chance of joining the series a couple of years ago, when the DTM champ was test and reserve driver for McLaren Mercedes. At one point, the team bosses were even considering giving him a drive before future champion Lewis Hamilton, back in 2007, but they eventually went for the GP2 graduate.
As years went by, Paffett had to settle for his programme inside the DTM, despite his testing mileage in F1. The only chance he has to be included in McLaren’s team – as a reserve driver – once again would be if Pedro de la Rosa will find a racing spot elsewhere next season, which is also an unlikely prospect for the time being.
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