Mercedes-Benz driver Gary Paffett won his first DTM touring car championship race of this season at the weekend, propelling him to within touching distance of the current leaders.

The former champion is now just one point behind Paul di Resta, Mattias Ekstrom and Martin Tomczyk, all of whom will be sweating on 12 points.

Paffett’s Laureus AMG Mercedes C-Class stood up well to the 44-lap race and he is now in with a great chance of scooping the big prize once again.

“It was a dream result. I had never expected to win in only my second DTM race after a one-year break. My perfect start and the team’s great strategy were the key factors. The car ran really well and I thank everybody for their super job,” he said.

Paffett is also a test driver for the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 team and his relationship with DaimlerChrysler extends to the sponsorship of the car.

Indeed, the Laureus AMG Mercedes C-Class will be auctioned at the end of the season to raise money for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which is supported by DaimlerChrysler and Richemont and their brands Mercedes-Benz and IWC.

Edwin Moses, chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, said: “Congratulations to Gary for a great drive. You can be sure everyone at Laureus is watching how Gary does with intense interest. If he can win the DTM championship, the car is bound to raise a lot more money when it is auctioned, which will help underprivileged young people around the world.”

The DTM championship is certainly hotting up and comparisons have been made with the situation in Formula 1.

Norbert Haug, vice president of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport, said: “Prior to and at the next race at the Lausitzring in two weeks, excitement is guaranteed. It is a great pleasure for us at Mercedes-Benz to be able to support the work of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation in Germany and around the world.”

Based in Germany, the DTM championship also has races in Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK. Fans in the UK will next see Paffett in action on June 10th, when he competes at the iconic Brands Hatch.