Ekstrom: Don't Rule Me Out
Mattias Ekstrom has warned that he shouldn't be written off as a contender for the 2005 DTM Championship ahead of next weekend's Championship finale
Ekstrom lies nine points behind Britain's Gary Paffett with just ten available after a disastrous race at the last round at Turkey. The Swede went into the race as Championship leader, but while rival Paffett dominated, Ekstrom finished twelfth following a collision with Jamie Green.
The result means that Paffett only needs to finish in the top eight at Hockenheim next weekend to take victory. Yet Ekstrom still hasn't given up hope on taking the title for the second consecutive season.
"Whoever has already written us off is making a mistake," Ekstrom said. "I'll fight all the way to the chequered flag. The gap to Gary is big and my title chances are small, but nothing is impossible, especially in the DTM. I'll try to win the race. I can't do anything more."
Audi motorsport boss Dr Wolfgang Ullrich believes that there is a good chance of an Audi victory at the event, after the A4's pace at the season opener at the same track.
Ullrich said: "Our goal is crystal clear: We want to redress the balance at the finale at Hockenheim after the disappointing result at Istanbul. At the season opener at Hockenheim the new Audi A4 DTM took pole position on its debut. It's got even quicker since then, that's why we are confident of finishing the season in winning style."
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