Ekström satisfied with first half of season

After the first five races, Audi works driver Mattias Ekström is leading the DTM championship together with Mercedes driver Gary Paffett. TouringCarTimes spoke exclusively with the DTM champion of 2003 and 2006 about the season so far.

Audi dominated the last race at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben and celebrated a 1-2-3 finish as well as the 50th win in the new DTM. Ekström was fourth after qualifying and was satisfied after the race.

“Going from fourth on the grid to second at the finish is ok. Getting eight points is good for the championship as well. Even though I was the slowest of the new Audi cars in qualifying I am more than satisfied with my qualifying performance so far.”

So far Ekström started twice from pole, once from second on the grid, once from ninth and in Oschersleben from fourth. “With that I’ve got the best qualifying statistic of all drivers so far. Up until Zandvoort I’ve did a good job. We’ve had some bad luck in the races, there have been some bad decisions as well and that we simply have to deal with.”

“I haven’t thought long about the results of Zandvoort. I’m a big fan of quick decisions and the Stewards have taken their decision. Life goes on and the subject is closed.”

From the second race until the race at Oschersleben Ekström has constantly been on the podium, but the first win this season is yet to come. “We’ve got the same amount of points as Gary and we’re leading the championship together. Despite that we haven’t won a race yet this year. That shows that we’re very constant.”

“Unfortunately we’ve lead three races but haven’t won them. We will try to change that in the second half of the season. When you work hard, weekend after weekend, than the fortune and the win will come.”