Audi: Paffett will be a threat

The Mercedes driver has driven a one-year-old car for the past two years since he returned to the series in 2007 following a year of Formula One testing with McLaren.

The 27-year-old is tipped for a place in the frontline HWA Mercedes team for this year, and Audi Sport boss Wolfgang Ullrich believes that Paffett will be a title threat again if he does get a brand new car for this season.

"We all know Gary's level," he said. "Because of certain circumstances he didn't have an A-car in the past two seasons, but last year it was always him who was outstanding in a 2007 car.

"I know with Gary that we always have a strong competitor and that now we will have to cope with him more in a new car."

Paffett left the DTM after his title success in 2005 and Mercedes were unable to fit him back into their top line-up for the past two years, despite his shock first win for an older car at Oschersleben in 2007.