Ekström wins DTM event in Munich after tough final

Mattias Ekström won a wet DTM show event at Munich Olympic Stadium after a thrilling final against Jamie Green.
“It is nice to win of course. I got some aquaplaning in the first corners of the first heat and I lost the rhythm. But then the problems I had in the first pitstop, Green got in the second heat,” said Ekström.

The final was decided through two heats where the victory margin of the first heat was given to the winner to start ahead of the second placed driver in the last and deciding heat.

Green won the first heat thanks to a much quicker pitstop and a stronger final half of the heat. Both heats were delayed due to heavy rain and the track was soaked all through the final.

Green started close to two seconds ahead of Ekström in the final heat and the Brit looked to have the victory in his hands. But Ekström closed in on the Mercedes driver and as they entered the pits, they were more or less side-by-side. As Green then bogged down in the exit of the pitstop, the heat was Ekström’s.

The Swede held the lead and secured the victory after beating Joey Hand, Martin Tomczyk and Gary Paffett on his way to the final. Green beat Filipe Albuquerque, Mike Rockenfeller and Bruno Spengler on his way.
“I was quick in the first half but we had some trouble in the second half when I stalled the engine. But it was a good race,” said Green.

The race does not award points to the championship and normal action resumes for DTM at Nürburgring on the 19th of August.