Bromley’s Gary Paffett just missed out on a podium place in the opening round of the DTM season at Hockenheim on Sunday.

In front of a packed circuit tough conditions proved difficult for Paffett and the other drivers with the Brit qualifying in 6^th place.

With a wet track first up Paffett started on the wet tyres before moving to slicks in Q3 but just missed out on Q4.

In the races Paffett got a good start and moved his way through to third place following some good overtaking manoeuvres, however in the closing stages he was overtaken by his teammate Christian Vietons.

Not only did he face a challenge from his teammate but he was also forced to defend fourth place in the closing stages from newcomer to the series Bruno Spengler.

Whilst he didn’t end the race on the podium he did however bring home some solid points for his Euronics Mercedes-Benz team and the 2012 runner-up will be confident in heading to Brands Hatch of scoring his first podium of the season.

Speaking about the race after the chequered flag had fallen, Paffett said: “That was a tough race, but a P4 finish and my first points of the season are a reasonable outcome.

“Christian had the better tyres and the better strategy towards the end of the race, so congratulations to him on his first DTM podium. The two different tyre compounds and the use of DRS Made for an exciting race.

“Unfortunately there were some moves out on track that weren’t totally acceptable. Fourth place is OK, but I know I was capable of a better result today.”

The DTM Championship comes to the UK for round two when it heads to Brands Hatch over the weekend of the 18^th and 19^th May.