Preview: Mattias Ekström eyes third DTM crown at Hockenheim
This weekend, the DTM will race at Hockenheim for the final round of the season, with Audi Sport’s Mattias Ekström carrying a 21-point advantage in the drivers’ championship going in, with the Swede on target to become only the third driver in the DTM’s history to achieve three titles.
The others are five-time champion Bernd Schneider (1995, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2006), who is also the only driver to win championships in both the old and new DTM, and Klaus Ludwig (1988, 1992 and 1994).
“Obviously, I have an advantage,” says Ekström, champion in 2004 and 2007, who chooses to remain realistic and focussed. “But we’re nowhere near anything having been decided yet. I have to drive a good race and am entering the finale just like any other weekend. After all, 56 points are yet to be scored.”
His main rival is fellow Audi driver René Rast, 21 points adrift and, would he become the champion, would be the first rookie to win the championship since Nicola Larini in 1993.
“I can only win and actually not lose anymore, so I’m not putting any pressure on myself,” said Rast. “Who’d have thought before the season that I’d still be battling for the title in the finale? The chance still exists. A perfect weekend with two pole positions and two victories would almost be enough.”
Rast’s team-mate at Team Rosberg Jamie Green also holds a slim mathematical chance, 35 points behind Ekström. Audi’s Mike Rockenfeller and reigning champion Marco Wittmann (BMW), who is yet to win a race this season, are tied with a 38-point deficit. Mercedes’ Lucas Auer is the last driver in the running, needing a dramatic turn of events to make up the 51 point gap.
“We have had some highs and lows over the course of the year, but have fought back well with good performances and results,” said Wittmann. “Generally speaking, anything is possible at Hockenheim. I am looking forward to an exciting showdown.”
Audi Sport could have a hat-trick of titles this weekend, as they also lead with a strong advantage in both the teams’ and manufacturers’ championships. The Ingolstadt-based squad has 697 points, 166 ahead of Mercedes AMG and 215 ahead of BMW Motorsport in the manufacturers’ table.
Dieter Gass, head of Audi Sport, said: “Our car is very strong this season. We’re entering the finale with advantages in all three championships. Obviously, we intend not to let anyone take the trophies away from us on the finish straight. At the same time, it’s clear that nothing has been decided yet and anything is always possible in the DTM.”
Mercedes DTM boss Ulrich Fritz is hoping to ensure a good result at the team’s home track: “We have only an outside chance with Lucas, but that’s no reason for us to give up. Hockenheim is a track that actually suits us far better than Spielberg. Consequently, we’re hoping that the races go differently for us than they did in Austria. We need to get the maximum out of our package and exploit every opportunity that comes our way.”
BMW Motorsport director Jens Marquardt vows to continue fighting until the end, despite the 38-point gap for Wittmann: “There is still a mathematical chance that Marco can win the drivers’ championship. While that chance still exists, we will give it our absolute all and, as always, fight right down to the final lap.”
Timetable
Friday 13th October
16:15 – Free Practice 1
Saturday 14th October
09:55 – Free Practice 2
11:45 – Qualifying for Race 1
14:48 – Race 1 (55 minutes plus one lap)
Sunday 15th October
09:00 – Free Practice 3
12:00 – Qualifying for Race 2
15:13 – Race 2 (55 minutes plus one lap)
