Photo: DTM Media

Mattias Ekström is the new standings leader after a consistent Norisring weekend

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Audi Sport’s decision for Mattias Ekström to chose DTM over World Rally Cross proved to be right, with the Swede achieving a third and a fourth position in both races and leaving Norisring as the new standings leader.

Sunday’s race was far from easy for Esktröm, who had a fierce battle with BMW’s Marco Wittmann for most of the race, both coming together at Turn 1 on lap 12: “It was a very entertaining race for me, I had some entertaining first laps after a bad start. There was a lot of action and a lot of carnage,” said Ekström

“After the red flag I was in fourth position and I was just cruising there. Then, at the end, I saw the chance to be third and, in the last corner, I had a little tap on the rear and lost my third place, to finish fourth,” said the Swede after the incident at Turn 7 on the last lap, which saw him lose the last podium spot.

The Team Abt driver leads the standings with 89 points, two ahead of Mercedes’ Lucas Auer. “We managed to score some good points this weekend and we are now leading the championship, so I’m looking forward to Moscow,” added Ekström.

Today’s winner Maxime Martin is third on 78 points, with Audi drivers Jamie Green and René Rast next with 75 and 72 points respectively.

After the Norisring races, Audi Sport leads the manufacturers’ table with 309 points, 70 ahead of Mercedes AMG and 108 over BMW Motorsport.

The next stop for DTM is Moscow, from July 21-23rd.