Paffett eyes Supercars after Mercedes DTM exit

Mercedes driver Gary Paffett has identified landing a seat in Supercars as one of his ambitions when the three-pointed star leaves DTM at the end of 2018.

Paffett has driven for Mercedes in the Germany-based touring car championship since 2003, but his only racing outside of the category in that time has been a Spa 24 Hours start for the HTP Mercedes team in 2016.

However, the 36-year-old Briton has pointed out that he now has the chance to compete in other categories, including Supercars and the Le Mans 24 Hours.

“(It was a) big shock, no-one expected it to happen really,” Paffett told Autosport about Mercedes’ announcement.

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“Everyone in the team is looking at what they might be doing in the future.

“There’s so much out there I haven’t done yet, and perhaps this is a chance for me to try something else.

“I haven’t done Le Mans or much endurance racing. I’d like to do that at some point.

“I’ve always said I’d like to have a go at Supercars in Australia.

“Whether it’s a full-time thing or not I don’t know, but it’s a series I’ve looked at and like the look of.

“I’m not limiting myself to anything in particular, I’m just going to see what’s out there and decide what I want to do going forward.

“I’m window shopping in a few places, and closer to the time we’ll nail something down.”

Paffett also confirmed that he would be interested in joining Mercedes in Formula E if asked.

“It’s up to them to decide who they want to take with them. That’s entirely their decision,” he said.

“But it’s certainly something I would be interested in.”