Ekström penalized after Audi team orders

The decision after the investigation of Audi’s team tactics at Zandvoort has come. Mattias Ekström has been given a five second penalty, moving him from second to third in the results, a decision that Audi accepts.
“It would not gain DTM if the debate would drag on for weeks and hold the results of Zandvoort temporary,” said Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Audi Motorsport boss.

The DMSB, German Motorsport Authority, found that Ekström was let by too easy by his manufacturer colleauges Alexandre Prémat and Oliver Jarvis.

Team orders are not allowed in the DTM, and the move of the Audi drivers were found to be illegal.

“For the future Audi recommends that the rules are formulated more precise, giving a more exact definition of the difference between team orders and team strategy,” said Ullrich.

DMSB also gave the Audi teams Phoenix Racing and Audi Sport Team Abt fines of 25 000 euro each, of which 20 000 euros are to be suspended.

Jarvis and Prémat both received warnings. Ekström lost two points, that Jarvis gained, in the championship due to his move down to third instead of second.

Ekström is now second in the championship, on equal points with Bruno Spengler, four points behind the lead.