Paffett extends Mercedes DTM contract

McLaren reserve driver Gary Paffett has extended his Mercedes DTM contract, confirming his long-term commitment to the German touring car championship. The Englishman, who clinched the title in 2005, is the first driver to be signed by the silver arrows prior to the introduction of the series’ new technical regulations next year.

“I am delighted to continue my relationship with Mercedes-Benz for the long-term," comments the 30-year-old from Bromley. “We have worked together for a long time, enjoyed a lot of success and I feel a big part of this successful racing family.

With 17 wins from 73 starts, Paffett is the most successful driver in the current DTM field “Next year, the DTM will enter a new era and the competition will be even tougher. I'm very excited to be part of this new era of the DTM and the fact that I now have a long-term contract in place gives me a solid basis on which to perform even better."

“Gary is a vital part of our very successful history in the DTM," adds Norbert Haug, Vice President for Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. “He is a racer in the purest form – straight and tough, but always fair. This new contract will take us into a second decade together and we will work hard to ensure it will be just as successful as our first – or even better."

An exact length of the contract extension has not been specified.