Highlights

McLaren drive looks unlikely, says Paffett

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-10-17 08:40

LONDON, Oct 16 - Briton Gary Paffett has conceded that he has little chance of landing the coveted second McLaren drive alongside Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso next season.

"Although the McLaren race seat is still up for grabs next year and is not completely out of the question, it is looking more and more unlikely that I will get that seat," the McLaren test driver told the Autosport.com website.

"So they (McLaren) have given us a certain amount of freedom to look elsewhere."

Briton Lewis Hamilton, the 21-year-old sensation of the GP2 support series this year, is a front-runner to partner Alonso next season although Spaniard Pedro de la Rosa remains a contender.

De la Rosa has been in the car since July when Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya announced he was leaving for the U.S.-based NASCAR series.

Sunday's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix will meanwhile be Kimi Raikkonen's last race for the team before the Finn joins Ferrari as Michael Schumacher's replacement following the German's retirement.

Paffett, 25, has been linked with testing roles at various teams as well as a race drive with Spyker.

"We are looking at our options now and what is viable," said Paffett. "Spyker are seriously interested but obviously the case there could be that they need a lot of money."