Paffett set for DTM return
Former DTM champion Gary Paffett is set to make a return to the series next year, this week's Autosport reports
Speculation of the switch began when Paffett opted against signing a third driver contract with Honda recently, and he appears to be set to return to the DTM with Mercedes if he stays at McLaren.
"I will still be testing for McLaren, but I will have room for something else," said Paffett. "Racing in the DTM would be the automatic choice."
Mercedes have three drivers confirmed for their top DTM team next year, but Mika Hakkinen is yet to re-sign for the fourth and final seat.
"There are a lot of drivers going for those seats but obviously my aim would be to take back my title from Mr Schneider," said Paffett.
Paffett's testing mileage at McLaren will be limited next year due to rule changes in Formula One, but by staying at the team he could be in line for a race seat in 2008 in either a McLaren 'B' team or a team supplied with Mercedes engines.
His managers Martin Brundle and Mark Blundell are keen to get Paffett racing in 2007.
Brundle said: "Gary is a natural-born racer and to have kept him in a test role for another season wouldn't have been the best thing for him.
"The amount of mileage he'd have been able to do next season as an F1 test driver would have been so limited that he's better off in a race seat elsewhere."
Paffett spent three seasons racing in the DTM with Mercedes, and took the title in 2005.
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