With three drivers in the hunt for the Championship title, the DTM series heads to China this weekend for a dramatic season finale on a new street circuit in downtown Shanghai.
'I think I’d put my money on DiResta' – Mattias Ekstrom
“It’s an unknown, which is exciting,” says Audi’s Mattias Ekström of DTM’s decision to end the season far, far away from its traditional heartland. “As with everybody else, I’ve seen the layout on the internet, and we’ve got some photos, but it’s difficult to judge when you're only looking at it quickly. In general what I’ve heard is that there are plenty of slow corners but the last corner is very, very quick and very, very long.”
“I’m pretty sure the grip will be very low, as we’re the first to race on this layout. Because of this I’m expecting it to be very demanding. As a general rule, on a road course you pay a higher price for a mistake, so anything could happen – and I’m looking forward to it!”
The title fight is between the Mercedes of team-mates Bruno Spengler, Paul DiResta and Gary Paffett. Paffett’s chances are slim, but the other two have everything to play for.
“I think I’d put my money on DiResta, but I’m sure it will be a very close call between all three of them,’ says former champion Ekström. “In the end it will come down to the guy with the best nerves. Whoever has the better qualifying will take the championship, I’m pretty sure.”
Despite an early-season win in Valencia, Ekström’s own challenge faded mid-season with a series of technical niggles. “This year I stopped dreaming of the Championship quite a few races ago. [At the penultimate round] in Adria I was giving it everything to win, but it didn’t happen because of some small technical stuff – that’s the way it’s gone this year. But I’ll be giving it everything I’ve got in Shanghai to win the race and end the season on a high.
“After the struggles of this year, to finish with a win in Shanghai would be fantastic.”
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