Mercedes-Benz Motorsport senior executive Norbert Haug praised the perspective of adding another successful touring car racer to this year's Mercedes lineup: “Gary Paffett wanted to race again in the DTM and of course we have been enthusiastic about this idea. Apart from this, it will remain Gary’s target to become a Formula 1 race driver. At Vodafone McLaren Mercedes, he will have the opportunity to build up his reputation.”
After winning the 2002 German Formula 3 championship, Paffett entered the DTM with Mercedes in 2003, as part of the highly renowed Rosberg Team. The young F1 hopeful scored 4 points to rank 11th in the standings, earning him a works drive for the following season. Taking full advantage of the AMG Mercedes logistics, Gary started the season with a victory in the traditional Hockenheim season-opener. Other three wins followed (including the non-championship Shanghai exhibition race) to claim the vice-championship.
There was a lot more to come in terms of success, as Paffett won five races in 2005 to become the first British driver to win the DTM title. The Englishman however chose not to defend his title in 2006, as he switched to full-time test driving for McLaren-Mercedes alongside Pedro de la Rosa. This year, former DTM rival Mattias Ekström tips Paffett as a championship contender, despite competing with a year-old machinery.
"It's great to be back racing with Mercedes-Benz in DTM, a championship where I have always performed well", Paffett said. "I am fully motivated to achieve the best possible results this season. I am also continuing my test driving role for Vodafone McLaren Mercedes where I will be contributing towards the best technical package for the World Championship campaig. I remain committed to finding a full time Formula 1 drive in the future. Meanwhile I am fully focused on the beginning of the DTM season which is my immediate priority as a professional racing driver”.
Google News