Ekstrom proud of consecutive win

Ekstrom had been powerless to stop Finland knocking him and Tom Kristensen out at the first hurdle, before seeing Michael Schumacher and Sebastien Vettel eventually go on to take the Nations Cup.

But the reigning DTM champion responded perfectly in the individual event to beat Michael Schumacher 2-1 in the final.

"It didn't start off so good but it turned out to be nice," said Ekstrom about his day. "At the end of the day, everybody wanted to win the Race of Champions.

"For sure the Nations Cup is also very nice to win, but it was nice to come here and win in front of all these spectators. I have enjoyed this race every time I have done it."

Although Ekstrom took his second successive victory in the event, he said he never underestimated the opposition - which included Schumacher and WTCC champion Andy Priaulx.

"I think I wouldn't say it was that easy, because all the guys who are here, if it is a seven-times F1 world champion or a four-times touring car champion, all of them are good.

"You have to get the rhythm going and then I think anyone can win. But the trick is to be sporting when it is hard to be."

Ekstrom also made it clear that he had no problem in accepting a late swap of cars with finalist Schumacher, who asked for a change of machinery shortly before the tie-breaker final.

"This happened to me last year also," said Ekstrom. "You are driving a car and you feel it is not what you wish it to be. It it easy to feel like this when you are driving on the limit and you get beaten.

"So it was fair enough that we should change the cars. I drove the yellow one once and the red one once, and Michael did the same. We discussed it before and it was Michael's proposal, and I am happy he asked me.

"I know the feeling when you have fair material. It is much nicer than when you have something wrong."