Mattias Ekström secures World Rallycross title as he skips DTM finale

Mattias Ekström provided some remedy for Audi’s DTM championship defeat at Hockenheim, as the two-time champion secured the 2016 World Rallycross Championship drivers’ title at the Estering.

Ekström finished in fifth position in the final in his Audi S1, run by his own team EKS RX, finishing ahead of fellow Swede and former STCC champion Johan Kristoffersson, which saw him wrap up the drivers’ championship with a round to go.

The 38-year-old Ekström is now 30 points clear of his closest challenger, outgoing champion Petter Solberg, ahead of next month’s season finale in Argentina.

“This may be the best day in my motorsport career,” said Ekström. “I’ve had so many sweet moments with Audi Sport in the DTM, but this here is really, really special.

“We started from scratch three years ago. In October 2013, there was nothing. Only few people can imagine what my team and I have built since then. Obviously, I owe a big debt of gratitude to my employer, Audi Sport. My bosses gave me permission to compete at the Estering in order to maximise my chances of winning the title. That couldn’t be taken for granted, and I’m very, very thankful for this. I hope that by clinching the big trophy, I was able to put a smile on their faces.”