Mattias Ekström and Mike Rockenfeller bullish ahead of race

Audi’s Mattias Ekström and Mike Rockenfeller are confident ahead of tomorrow’s race at Zandvoort, after qualifying 11th and third respectively.

Ekström had a difficult qualifying and will line up 11th in his Abt Sportsline run RS 5 DTM after electing to focus on race pace, as opposed to speed in qualifying.

The Swede acknowledged moving through the field will be difficult after qualifying right in the middle of the pack, but he is confident he can make progress with the set-up he and his engineer, Florian Modlinger, have chosen.

“I’m looking forward to the race,” said Ekström. “Starting from position eleven is more difficult than when you’re further at the front; half the field is in front of me, the other half is behind me.

“My aim is to overtake as many cars as possible, [and] those who know me know that we’ll only give up after the checkered flag has come out.”

Rockenfeller, who needs a second place finish to take his maiden DTM title and Audi’s first since 2011, qualified third behind pole-sitter Marco Wittmann and second-place man Augusto Farfus.

However, he is confident he can win the race, despite being disappointed with his pace in qualifying.

“I’m pleased with my position but not with my pace in qualifying,” said Rockenfeller. “I gave everything but was struggling a bit with the car.

“Cracking Augusto [Farfus] tomorrow won’t be easy, but my aim of winning the race remains unchanged.”