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Gary Paffett pinpoints Mercedes problems

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Mercedes’ Gary Paffett has outlined the problems facing the Mercedes team’s 2014 DTM challenger.

At the last 2014 DTM round at Oschersleben, Mercedes took a shock victory with Christian Vietoris. DTM and Mercedes returnee Paul di Resta finished fourth, while Paffett finished eighth.

Ahead of the next round of the 2014 DTM calendar which takes part at the Hungaroring over the weekend of June 1, the 2005 DTM champion explained the problems facing Mercedes’ 2014 Mercedes C-Coupe.

“Well unlike the end of last year where we had a well balanced car but lacked performance, this year it is a little different,” Paffett explained to TouringCarTimes.

“We are struggling with several balance problems with the car and it is pretty hard to drive. 

“I think this is half the problem – the other half is just a lack of performance with most of it probably being down to a lack of downforce.”

Despite the issues facing the Mercedes squad, Paffett said he doesn’t expect Mercedes’ performance to suffer at the Hungaroring due to the similar nature of the Oschersleben circuit.

“I think that the circuit characteristics at the Hungaroring are similar to Oschersleben, so I don’t see the circuit being any better or worse for us.

“However we are still finding out the best way to set up the car and will have some new ideas for this weekend,  so are hoping we can start to make some progress towards the front of the field.”

Paffett currently lies 14th in the DTM standings with four points.