Mattias Ekström “happy to not decide” about DTM and Rallycross clash

Audi Sport driver Mattias Ekström had a good weekend at the Hungaroring to strenghthen his position in the championship, a result that casts even more doubts about the pending decision on where to compete in two weeks time; DTM or World Rallycross Championship.

Ekström started the race from third place on the grid, losing a position in the start and completed his compulsory pit stop already on lap four: “I was very optimistic before the race, but I think that I heated my tyres a bit too much, so I lost a position to Müller at the start,” the Swede told TouringCarTimes. “The pit stop went well and I came out just ahead of René, so then I tried to drive as fast as I could.”

On lap 31, fellow Audi driver René Rast overtook Ekström for the lead, with the Swede not being able to fight back: “Perhaps our stop was a bit early, but I could feel my tyres were starting to go and I was worried, as I was trying to keep René behind. In the end, he was faster and Team Rosberg did a better job, they deserve the win, so my congratulations go to them. I do like the Hungaroring a lot, I could race here every week, but Team Rosberg, with René and Jamie, were setting the pace today.”

Ekström is now fourth in the standings, eight points behind leader Rast. With the final decision about his World Rallycross and DTM clash in two weeks’ time looming, the Swede feels relieved it’s not up to him: “I love making decisions, but I’m super-happy of not having to make this one. I enjoy the World Rallycross Championship, but I also said at the beginning of the year that I wanted to take my third DTM title. Last year I prioritised the World Rallycross Championship, but now I’m in the same situation in both championships, eight points behind the leader. So, for once, Dieter (Gass) has a good task ahead. We will see.”