Paffett set for DTM return with Mercedes team
Two-time DTM champion Gary Paffett is set to make a surprise return to the series in 2021 with Mercedes' customer Mucke Motorsport.

The driving force behind 2005 and 2018 champion Paffett’s comeback is believed to be the Schaeffler Group, which has been a series partner of the DTM for several months and is also working with the championship on the DTM Electric project for 2023.
Schaeffler, together with Paravan, has developed a steer-by-wire system that is set to be run by the Mucke team in its Mercedes AMG GT3 this year.
Both Schaeffler and Paravan would like to have Paffett in the car, with the Mercedes ace having spent 15 consecutive seasons in the DTM and scored 23 race wins before the manufacturer's withdrawal after 2018 prompted a switch to Formula E with HWA.
Paffett’s chances of a comeback have been boosted by Schaeffler-Paravan’s appointment of former HWA man Hubert Hugle.
Hugle had been in-charge of technology at HWA for several years and also served as its DTM Development Manager, and thus worked closely with the Brit.
Paffett’s return would also sit well with DTM boss Gerhard Berger, who has already received a setback by the loss of three-time champion Rene Rast to Formula E.
His comeback would ensure there would be at least two former champions on the grid this year, following Abt’s announcement on Friday to hire 2013 title winner Mike Rockenfeller alongside rookie Kelvin van der Linde.

Gary Paffett, DTM Hockenheim 2018
Photo by: Motorsport Images
Steer-by-wire technology needs FIA approval
The Mercedes example Shaeffler and Paravan have been working on does not have a mechanical connection between the steering and the transmission and is strictly speaking not compliant with FIA's homologation of the Mercedes AMG GT3.
Therefore, DTM’s umbrella organisation ITR will be required to prepare an additional specification sheet and have it approved by the FIA.
However, it is understood that this shouldn’t be a hurdle, and people involved in the project are confident of implementing the steer-by-wire technology in the car.
The system is already in use in Markus Winkelhock's Audi R8 LMS GT3 and several Porsche cars in former DTM support event GTC-Race.
The joint venture between Schaeffler and Paravan is working on having the electronic steering system on two cars this year, but due to the complex implementation, it would have to supply engineers and mechanics familiar with the technology to the Mucke team.
Mucke Motorsport hasn't formally committed to the GT3 era of the DTM yet.

Abt signs Rockenfeller, van der Linde for 2021 DTM season
Auer returns to DTM with Mercedes customer Winward Racing

Latest news
How the DTM’s newest Schumacher is faring in his rookie year
The DTM is one of the most fiercely-competitive GT championships around at the moment, with grids pushing 30 cars and a strong complement of factory aces. Amid it all, GT3 rookie David Schumacher is finding a steep learning curve, but his champion team-mate likes what he sees
Rast announces shock departure from Audi Sport
Rene Rast has announced his shock departure from Audi Sport, ending a 12-year partnership at the conclusion of the 2022 season.
Teenager Oeverhaus to become youngest DTM driver at Nurburgring
Theo Oeverhaus will become the youngest driver to race in the DTM when the 17-year-old makes his series debut at the Nurburgring later this month with the Walkenhorst BMW team.
Can the DTM’s reigning champion turn around his sluggish title defence?
With 67 fewer points and 14 positions lower in the standings than at the equivalent point last year, Maximilian Gotz has had a tough start to his DTM season. The Mercedes driver explains his struggles, and how he’s going about addressing them
The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality
His day of days in Formula 1 came at Indianapolis in 2005, a day grand prix racing strives to forget. But Patrick Friesacher, the long-serving Red Bull lieutenant, remains active today driving a two-seater that provides ordinary people with a glimpse of an F1 car’s savage potential, including this writer...
How the DTM has come back stronger from its Norisring nadir
OPINION: Questionable driving standards and farcical team orders meant the DTM's first season under GT3 regulations ended under a cloud. But the organisation has responded firmly by banning team orders and welcomed new manufacturers, making for an intriguing season ahead as new and returning names prepare for battle
The remarkable career of a 'classy' champion who rejected politics
Over two decades as a factory driver with Audi and BMW, Martin Tomczyk earned the respect of team-mates and rivals as a hard but fair racer. After calling time on his racing career, the 2011 DTM champion sat down with Autosport to look back
The other Hamilton conqueror seeking career revival
On his rise through the ranks before reaching Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton was usually a cut above the rest. But he never truly asserted himself over a Mercedes-backed fellow Briton who traded single-seaters for touring cars and is now seeking new opportunities after a year largely spent on the sidelines
How the DTM's shambolic finale poses awkward future questions
OPINION: The scenes at the Norisring as Mercedes used blatant team orders to secure the first DTM title of the new GT3 era totally undermined the credibility of the championship. But as well as overshadowing the season, it also presents uncomfortable questions to series bosses about the direction it is headed in
How Audi's new DTM star is channeling Rast to achieve his "childhood dream"
Having learned the ropes in GT3 alongside Rene Rast, Kelvin van der Linde is in line to take up the three-time champion's baton as Audi's new DTM king. From humble origins in South Africa, it's been a remarkable journey so far for the current series leader, but he knows that the 2021 title is a long way from settled just yet
The number-crunching behind the new-look DTM's equalisation drive
Switching to GT3 regulations marked a fresh start for the DTM in 2021, but it has also drawn a line in the sand against other series using similar cars by engaging AVL Racing to develop a bespoke Balance of Performance system. Here’s how it works
The initial verdict on DTM's move to GT3 cars
OPINION: Facing collapse last year, the DTM has shifted its philosophy from a championship for silhouette-based touring cars to GT machines not too dissimilar to those racing across multiple series worldwide. But despite some initial BoP-based teething troubles, there were some pleasant findings as the 'new DTM' got underway at Monza