Mattias Ekström insists that his 28-point lead ‘doesn’t mean a thing’ despite the Audi driver extending his advantage with victory in the first DTM race at the Red Bull Ring.
The Swede took victory after snatching the lead from majority race leader Jamie Green with just four laps remaining in the race, claiming his first win of the season.
However Ekström insists that he isn’t thinking about the title yet, despite there being a possibility that he could move to within touching distance of the trophy with another strong race on Sunday.
“I don’t think [the title] is an early decision already,” said Ekström. “There are still many points at stake and things can change quickly again as well. I know that all too well from painful experiences in the past.
“A points lead doesn’t mean a thing, it is the title that matters. In between, there are no championship trophies.”
In starting from third on the grid, Ekström enjoyed one of his best grid positions of the season. The two-time champion believed that making the most of his early advantage was key in the race.
“For me, qualifying was more exciting than the race,” said the 39-year-old. “At my age, starting from third place on the grid doesn’t happen too often anymore.
“During the starting grid, I noticed that Marco Wittmann had put on fresh tyres. Therefore, I focussed very much on the start. This was very good, I stayed behind Nico and Jamie, but ahead of all the others.
“Afterwards, everything went perfectly. Although, at first glance, I have a big advantage now, the tables can turn very quickly again in the DTM.”
Audi Head of Motorsport Dieter Gass praised the leading trio of Ekström, Green and Nico Müller, who were dominant out front on the way to a 1-2-3 result for the Ingolstadt marque.
“A superb race for us,” said Gass. “The guys at the front did a great job and were really running fast.
“They obviously benefited a little from Robert Wickens having slowed the whole field with a damaged car so that the field behind position four was superbly close together again. That made it easier for us to bring our one-two-three win home.”