DTM experience helps Paffett shine
Briton Gary Paffett was delighted to be back behind the wheel of a Formula One car for the first time in over two years
The DTM champion kicked off McLaren's winter testing programme on Monday, working alongside the team's test driver Alex Wurz at the Barcelona circuit.
Paffett was promised a test with McLaren after clinching the DTM title, and he shone in yesterday's outing, finishing fastest ahead of Wurz and BMW's Nick Heidfeld.
The British driver reckons his DTM experience has helped him get up to speed quickly, and claims the difference between the touring cars and Formula One's single-seaters is not that big.
"I'm really happy to drive a Formula One car again after more than two years, and I particularly enjoy that I can test with McLaren Mercedes," said Paffett. "I gained a lot of experience and enjoyed driving very much.
"For me, cornering speeds and braking were most impressive. However, the difference between the DTM and the Formula One car is not as big as it was between the Formula Three and the Formula One car three years ago.
"Co-operating with the technicians I benefited a lot from my experience in the DTM."
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