Audi has introduced that it has parted methods with two-time DTM champion Mattias Ekstrom to carry an finish to a 23-year partnership.
A particular farewell for Ekstrom was organised by Audi at its manufacturing unit in Ingolstadt on 26 September, which was attended by Audi Sport chief Rolf Michl and several other different workers.
The occasion introduced the curtain right down to Ekstrom’s prolonged stint on the German producer, the place he established himself as some of the versatile drivers in all of motorsport.
He landed a manufacturing unit contract at Audi in 2001, two years after he had received the Swedish Touring Automobile Cup Championship in a privately-entered A4 quattro.
The Swedish driver went on to spend 17 years within the DTM with Audi and its manufacturing unit staff Abt – and the well-known blue-and-red Pink Bull livery that he raced throughout that point grew to become an essential a part of the sequence’ folklore.
It wasn’t till the top of the 2017 season that he stepped down from the DTM, by which period he had racked up two titles, 25 wins and 83 podiums, changing into one of many sequence’ all-time greats.
Outdoors of the DTM, Ekstrom helped Audi’s buyer racing programme clinch its first outright victory in a 24-hour race when he partnered with Timo Scheider and Greg Franch on the Spa 24 Hours in 2011.
#211 Staff Audi Sport Audi: Mattias Ekstrom, Emil Bergkvist
Picture by: Pink Bull Content material Pool
Ekstrom additionally established a reputation for himself in different arenas, successful the 2016 World Rallycross title together with his personal factory-backed EKS staff in an Audi S1.
Extra just lately, he has represented Audi in cross-country rallying, securing its first-ever stage victory within the Dakar Rally in 2022 en path to ending ninth total within the drivers’ standings.
“Driving for Audi Sport was like a childhood dream coming true,” mentioned the 46-year-old. “Trying again on greater than twenty years with the 4 rings brings again many recollections.
“I had the possibility to meet my goals as a child, like racing within the DTM, successful races and titles, and growing race vehicles. Profitable the DTM title in 2004 is one thing I’ll cherish without end.
“But it surely was extra than simply motorsport. I had the possibility to fulfill so many fascinating and proficient individuals and attended many nice occasions.
“Being concerned with the identical firm for therefore lengthy is kind of uncommon in motorsport, and I’m very grateful for this era of my life. I can solely say thanks to everybody at Audi.”
Audi has been steadily curbing all its factory-supported motorsport programmes whereas diverting assets to its 2026 Method 1 mission with Sauber.
The rally-raid programme that he has been part of since inception was concluded after its victory within the Dakar Rally earlier this yr.
In current instances, Audi additionally pulled out of the DTM, Method E, and stripped down its GT3 programme to a provide of spare elements.
Its whole pool of manufacturing unit sportscar drivers was disbanded on the finish of final yr, though some drivers who had longer-term contracts ended up being retained by the model for 2024.
Talking of Ekstrom’s departure, Audi Sport boss Michl mentioned: “We owe Mattias an immense quantity, and in flip, we now have helped him to the best successes of his profession.
“To at the present time, I’m impressed not solely by his steady efficiency but in addition by his wonderful staff spirit. Mattias has by no means concentrated solely on racing.
“He has all the time helped to drive initiatives ahead, help our builders and promote the groups he has labored with.
“With these qualities and his sequence of successes, he is a superb position mannequin for a lot of worldwide skills in motorsport. We want him all the most effective for his future profession.”
