Photo: Audi Sport

Ekström and Paffett divided on DRS at Brands Hatch

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Audi’s Mattias Ekström believes the DTM’s new for 2013 DRS system will have little effect at this weekend’s race at Brands Hatch.

Considering the track is just 1.9 kilometers long and without any notable straights like at Hockenheim, the Abt Sportsline driver feels strategy and a good qualifying session, as opposed to the advantages provided by the DRS and the option tyre, will play a greater part in the outcome of Sunday’s race.

“You can still use DRS and make up time, but probably not enough to overtake somebody,” he told Autosport.

“We will probably spend a bit of extra time on set-up for qualifying because starting near the front is very important there.”

Mercedes’ Gary Paffett, who won the event last year, disagrees with his Swedish rival and believes the DRS will still be effective on certain parts of the track if the car ahead can be forced into a mistake.

“On the Indy circuit you’re always trying to force a mistake from the car ahead,” said Paffett.

“If you can do that into Clearways and make them run wide or even just get on the power a little bit late, then you can definitely get past with DRS into Paddock, even around the outside.”