"The world doesn't need DTM", says double champion Ekstrom
Two-time DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom has blasted the German touring car series, saying "the world doesn't need it" and that his former Audi team has made it "too boring"
In the wake of Mercedes' championship exit at the end of 2018, DTM promoter ITR moved to adopt Class One regulations in the hope of an expansive collaboration with the Japanese Super GT series.
But following the withdrawal of the R-Motorsport Aston Martin set-up and with Audi set to leave the DTM at the end of the 2020 season, the ITR is now due to propose 'GT Plus' regulations for next year.
Audi and BMW are the only remaining manufacturers in the series at present, and of the 10 races held so far this season Audi has won eight.
This has led 2004 and 2007 title winner Ekstrom to hit out at the DTM's current health, saying in an exclusive press conference that: "It's not suitable for the entertainment we need today to compete against other sports."
When asked if Ekstrom - who was recently announced as the male driver for Abt-Cupra's 2021 Extreme E team - still followed the series, he said: "Sometimes, when I have time.
"For me, the DTM has been my life. So many years I was there, I came as a little young guy and made my career there.
"I cannot say thanks enough to DTM or Audi, Abt and Red Bull for the support I had there.
"But when I see what's happening now, and [as a former Audi driver] it's too boring.
"The domination of Audi is a compliment for they are doing a good job, but BMW is not making the show great.
"The entertainment value is a bit too low."
Ekstrom added that, despite moves in recent years to reduce downforce levels, the current use of two-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engines, push-to-pass boosts and DRS made the DTM too expensive.
He continued: "The high-tech thing of the DTM is great in one way, but it also makes it really high price.
"I don't think DTM, in the way it's done today, is needed. The world doesn't need that.
"If you can make entertainment [at a] lower cost for a wider field, then the audience will be bigger and better again, because there are still a lot of fans which are car lovers.
"But to have only two manufacturers like it is today, it's not suitable for the entertainment we need today to compete against other sports."
Be part of the Autosport community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Marko: Perez improved F1 form because 2025 contract talks are at stake
Russell explains how low-fuel runs expose Mercedes F1 inconsistency
The impatient pair who’d hoped to be a thorn in Red Bull’s side again
Ekstrom replaces injured Sainz for Extreme E season
Friday favourite: The all-round ace with an "obsession for perfection"
Ekstrom praises Cupra Racing team after winning Pure ETCR title
IndyCar Long Beach: O’Ward leads Power in opening practice
Latvala: Neuville, Evans tied for WRC Croatia lead "something special"
WEC Imola: Ferrari remains on top in FP2 as Fuoco beats Porsche
WRC Croatia: Neuville, Evans tied for the lead after eight stages
Autosport writers' most memorable moments of 2022
The plug in and play stand-ins who got their timing just right
The longest-serving Red Bull driver revealing F1’s true brutality
How the DTM has come back stronger from its Norisring nadir
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments