Mixed emotions for Mattias Ekström

Mattias Ekström had mixed emotions after finishing second in the first DTM race of 2011 at Hockenheim.
“Obviously, winning feels better than anything else. Today we achieved second place – that’s nearly perfect, but not completely,” said Ekström.

The Swede finished second behind Bruno Spengler and Ekström was critical of Spengler’s driving style.

“We had a car to be in contention for victory – particularly after my good start. But Bruno [Spengler] simply overtook me flat-out on the outside of turn one alongside the track. I was running flat-out too but he had more momentum that way and was able to pass me again. I didn’t think that this was okay,” said Ekström.

Ekström followed Spengler closely for the remainder of the race, but it was not far from that Ekström had to retire with just a few corners left of the race.

“A few turns before the finish something broke on my rear suspension. But this time I was luckier than in the years before – maybe that’s a good omen for the 2011 season,” said Ekström.