Audi driver Ekstrom to race in DTM at the Norisring

Mattias Ekstrom

Good news for all DTM fans: Mattias Ekstrom in his Red Bull Audi RS 5 DTM will be on the grid of the DTM season’s highlight at the Norisring on the first weekend of July and skip the World RX round in Holjes (Sweden).

“It was a very difficult decision because we’re still early in the season and Mattias has title chances in both championships," says Head of Audi Motorsport Dieter Gass. “But the factory commitment in the DTM has priority for us. Mattias can win his third DTM title this year and has always been very strong at the Norisring. In addition, this is our home round and we need Mattias there."

In Holjes, Ekstrom will be replaced at EKS by his Swedish compatriot P-G Andersson. “I’m happy that my boss (Dieter Gass) has made this decision for me," says Ekstrom. “That of all events there’s a clash between my home race in Holjes and one of my favorite races in the DTM is a real shame. I’d have loved racing at both events but, unfortunately, that’s not possible logistically."

The DTM races will start on Saturday (July 1) at 6:55 PM CEST and on Sunday (July 2) at 5:20 PM. ARD will be airing live coverage from Nuremberg on “das Erste." Tickets and Audi fan packages are available online at www.audi.com/dtm. www.fiaworldrallycross.com/live offers a World RX live stream from Holjes on Sunday (July 2) from 2:00 PM CEST.