A brief interview with Audi Sports Mattias Ekstrom from Oschersleben

Posted: 19 Sep 2011 07:39 AM PDT

Red Bull Audi A4 DTM #8 (Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline), Mattias Ekstrom

Two victories and a second place at the last three races – is the DTM particularly good fun this way?

I’ve had good fun racing all year. But I’m having even more fun at the moment because we’re trying to improve certain things in the team and are achieving good results in the process.

The next DTM race will be held at Valencia – you won there last year. That automatically makes you the favorite…

A victory at Oschersleben does not help at Valencia. Also, we shouldn’t forget that we’ve got a new tire partner this year. We’re still in the process of learning. Sometimes you’re first, sometimes 14th. It’s important to be focused on every single lap and to correctly assess the experiences. You move forward through structure work.

You’ve been the father of a little son since April. How has this changed your life?

I enjoy my time at home with little Mats, Heidi and the two dogs, Moss and Lou. More than ever before, I look forward to coming home. But also more than ever before, I enjoy being out on the track because the challenge in the DTM is greater than ever.

At the beginning of the week you tested the new Audi A5 DTM at the Lausitzring. What was your first impression?

Generally, it’s always a really great thing for me to be part of the development of a new race car from the outset. It’s still very early and the cars are different due to the regulations. But the A5 DTM feels good. You can tell that Audi has built the car. Everything’s been prepared very well and solid and runs like a charm. We’ve got a good testing program that we’re checking off meticulously. The first few meters I was surprised how different this can feel with the same engine and many identical parts. But the new Hankook tires make the biggest difference.