From desert to ice: Mattias Ekström competes in the Race of Champions in Sweden

After his strong performance in the Dakar Rally in January, Mattias Ekström is moving from the desert to ice: This weekend, the Audi factory driver will be among the illustrious circle of international drivers competing in the “Race of Champions”. The Swede has already won the popular event three times and thinks that he also has a good chance this time – under new circumstances: For the first time, the “Race of Champions” will be taking place in Pite Havsbad, in the north of Sweden, on snow and ice.

“I love these conditions,” says Ekström, the best-placed Audi driver in the 2022 Dakar Rally in January. “I think that the starts will be very different and also decisive. If you start with the wheels spinning too much, you don’t stand a chance.”

Mattias Ekström had plenty of time to practice with the Audi RS Q e-tron on snow and ice at the GP Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria, last weekend.

Also on the grid is Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen – it will be his 16th participation. The Dane has been in the final of the “Race of Champions” five times so far.