DTM Nürburgring 2016
Mattias Ekström, Edoardo Mortara

Mattias Ekström was one of the protagonists once more in the DTM’s 50th event at the Nürburgring.

In race one on Saturday, you were moving forward from position 19 toward a place in the points. But then an on-track encounter with Maximilian Götz caused a major stir ...
I’m really fed up. I simply shouldn’t be starting behind this guy anymore. He doesn’t drive the way I think a race should be driven. Yes, he occasionally drives fast. He occasionally finishes, too. But I simply don’t like the way he drives. That’s it.

All the sweeter was your comeback drive on Sunday, when everything was fair – especially the duel with leader of the standings Marco Wittmann at the very end.
Driving with people that let you live is fun. Everyone in the DTM can drive fast – there’s no point in discussing that. But how you drive a race, what type of show you deliver, that’s something not everyone is capable of. Marco Wittmann is one of the clever ones, a driver who always finishes as well, and with whom you can fight a fair battle. He’s currently the man to be beaten.

Following the race on Sunday, you were one of the first people to congratulate Edoardo Mortara. Were you happy for him?
Edo is another fighter. I respect that. He battled superbly on Sunday. It’s definitely an art to continue to be fast even when the tires are beginning to degrade somewhat. But we clearly need to work on our qualifying performance – we still need to catch up in that respect.

Next weekend, you’re continuing to race in the World Rallycross Championship. What chances are you expecting to have at Barcelona?
I think my chances are good. I feel very comfortable with the most recent update in terms of development. Now, a smaller aspect will be added. I’m very much looking forward to Barcelona. With respect to the atmosphere, it’s one of the top three events besides Lohéac and Höljes. It’s going to be a highlight.

The question of whether you’ll be competing in the DTM finale at Hockenheim or in the World Rallycross Championship at Estering is coming closer. When will the decision be made?
For now, I’ll try to have a good weekend at Barcelona. If that’s worked out, I’m going to talk to my bosses the following week to see what we’re going to do.