Photo: DTM Media

Mattias Ekström in search of fifth win in Zandvoort

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The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters returns to the track this weekend, with the fifth round of the 2016 season taking place in Zandvoort. Audi Sport’s Mattias Ekström is the most successful active driver at the Dutch track, and is poised to improve his personal record in the Netherlands.

The Swede has fond memories in Zandvoort. Nonetheless, it was the stage for Ekström’s first win in the series, back in 2002. The Audi driver would have three other wins in 2004, 2008 and 2014, showing how much he enjoys this track. “There are many nice turns in great combinations, uphill and downhill sections, plus the track has a wonderful rhythm. What I like best are the turns you practically enter blindly, that’s where you need a lot of confidence in your car” said Ekström, currently ninth in the standings.

Team Abt Sportsline’s Edoardo Mortara is the best placed Audi driver in the standings, in second place, just two points behind the leader, BMW’s Marco Wittmann. The Italian driver is the only one in the field to have two wins, at the season opener in Hockenheim and three weeks ago in Norisring. Mortara highlights his 2012 victory as his sweetest memory from Zandvoort.

Nico Müller achieved his first ever DTM win at last round in Norisring, and is hungry for more: “Once you’ve stepped on the top of the podium, you definitely become addicted to more of the same. I wouldn’t mind things to immediately continue this way at Zandvoort.”

Audi Sport has won half of the races held so far this season, lying currently in second place in the Manufacturers’ standings, 34 points behind BMW Motorsport, and will start the Dutch weekend of the season with the heaviest car, at 1,127.5 kg until performance weights are calculated after Saturday’s qualifying session.

The target for the Ingolstadt team is to go back to their winning ways, with eight victories in Zandvoort. Dieter Gass, Head of DTM for Audi Sport, is looking forward to the weekend: “Last year, not least due to the performance weights, we stayed below our expectations at Zandvoort. It would be great to recover our former strength. We’ve already won eight races there and always enjoy returning to Zandvoort. This is a ‘real’ race track that doesn’t forgive many mistakes. The circuit poses a challenge to the drivers and the tires. Overtaking isn’t easy, so qualifying is extremely important.”

Action at Zandvoort starts on Friday afternoon, with the first free practice session taking place at 17:00 CEST.