FEBRUARY 2, 2001

Pantano impressed with McLaren set-up

YOUNG Italian driver Giorgio Pantano has praised McLaren's Formula One operation after he took part in a two-day private test at Jerez this week.

Pantano, the reigning German Formula Three Champion, joined McLaren trio David Coulthard, Mika Hakkinen and Alexander Wurz as well as Mercedes driver Darren Turner and young Briton Gary Paffett at the exclusive test in Spain.

"The McLaren team were very professional and friendly," Pantano said. "Their attention to detail and the effort they put in was an eye-opener in what effort goes into running a top team in Formula One."

Pantano and Paffett, who won the scholarship class of the British Formula Three series, were handed their chance to test after they impressed McLaren's management team.