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Mercedes’ Gary Paffett predicts ‘difficult’ qualifying

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Gary Paffett believes qualifying for tomorrow’s DTM season opener at Hockenheim will be ‘difficult’ due to the wet weather conditions at the circuit.

The Mercedes driver finished this morning’s free practice session in eighth and described the conditions as ‘tricky’ not only due to the slippery nature of the circuit, but also because the teams will have to qualify using a dry set up on a wet track.

“I think it’ll be difficult,” said Paffett to TouringCarTimes.

“The weather is set to be dry tomorrow, so we all have to qualify with that set up.

“However, that’s going to make it difficult for everyone.”

The 2013 championship runner up also believes Mercedes has genuine pace this weekend and is aiming for a top-10 position on the grid.

“[We know] we’re quick,” he said.

“A top-10 would be great, and a top-five [would be] even better.

“We’ll see if we can fight for pole.”

Paffett won the race in 2012, despite Audi’s Mattias Ekstrom taking pole position.