DTM Champion, former Mercedes-AMG factory driver and current Racing Director of the Cupra Kiro Formula E Team, Gary Paffett is an accomplished and respected figure in international motorsport. Drawing on his experience as a long-standing team captain, sporting advisor and racing director, he provides audiences with lessons on building resilient, motivated teams, optimising performance and leading in competitive environments.
EXPERTISE
DTM Icon with Mercedes-AMG: Joining DTM as a factory Mercedes-AMG driver in 2003, Gary enjoyed a remarkable career in the series. He became a two-time DTM Champion in 2005 and 2018, recording over 185 starts, 23 wins, 48 podiums, 17 pole positions and 14 fastest laps. As a long-standing Team Captain, he played a key leadership role within the organisation and helped Mercedes-AMG secure the drivers’, teams’ and manufacturers’ titles in their final DTM season.
Formula 1 & High-Performance Development: Alongside his DTM career, Gary served as a full-time test and development driver for the McLaren-Mercedes Formula 1 team from 2006 to 2014, contributing to car development at the highest level of the sport. He later joined Williams as a simulator driver in 2016, further cementing his expertise in performance optimisation, data analysis and elite engineering collaboration.
Electric Racing & Global Competition: Gary expanded into Formula E with HWA Racelab during the 2018–2019 season and has also competed in major GT endurance events, including the 24 Hours of Spa and the Bathurst 12 Hour, showcasing his versatility across disciplines and formats.
Leadership & Management: Transitioning into management in 2019, Gary became Sporting Advisor for the Mercedes EQ Formula E Team before moving to Team Manager of the NEOM McLaren Formula E Team in 2022, guiding the team through its championship debut. In 2023, he was appointed Sporting Director of the NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team, holding both leadership roles through the 2024/25 season. Ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, Gary was named Racing Director of the Cupra Kiro Formula E Team, continuing his progression as a senior motorsport leader.
SPEAKER TOPICS
- Teamwork & Collaboration: How elite teams build trust, communicate under pressure and align diverse specialists around a single performance goal, even in the most high-stakes environments.
- Marginal Gains: The power of incremental improvement, where small, data-driven gains across people, processes and performance compound to deliver a decisive competitive edge.
- Mindset: Developing the mental resilience, focus and decision-making required to perform consistently at the highest level, particularly when stakes, scrutiny and pressure are at their peak.
Book Gary Paffett for your next event
Gary specialises in keynote presentations, sharing an insight-led perspective shaped by his experience in elite motorsport.
