OCTOBER 7, 2002

Paffett is German F3 champion

Gary Paffett has become the first British driver to win the German Formula 3 Championship. In recent years the series has been dominated by international drivers with the 2001 title going to Japan's Toshihiro Kaneishi and previous champions being Giorgio Pantano (Italy), Holland's Christjian Albers and Belgium's Bas Leinders. Nick Heidfeld was the last German to win his national title, back in 1997. The British Formula 3 title has been won by Robbie Kerr, who outran Australian James Courtney, who started the year favourite to win the prestigious crown. Paffett hopes to move up to become a fulltime test driver with McLaren but is also talking to BAR and Jordan. Paffett was run this year by former F1 World Champion Keke Rosberg.