DTM – Norisring: Mattias Ekström’s disqualification confirmed

Ultimately there will be no winner. The disqualification of Mattias Elkström, who had crossed the finish line in the lead during the 5th round of the DTM contested at the Norisring on July 14, was confirmed late Tuesday evening by the Court of Appeal of the German Motor Sports Federation. The Swedish Audi driver was given a bottle of water in his pocket while he was still in the parc ferme. Which is contrary to the regulations, no substance must be added or removed from the car before it passes into the hands of the scrutineers.

Contrary to what was first announced, the drivers ranked behind Mattias Ekström do not move up one place. Second at the finish, the Canadian Robert Wickens will therefore not inherit the victory under the green carpet and the event will thus remain without a winner. A decision motivated, according to the German Motor Racing Association, by the fact that the Audi driver and his car did not benefit from any advantage during the race and that the event had been won in a perfectly sporting manner. “It is good that the Court of Appeal has closed this case and that we can move forward this weekend at Moscow Raceway without knowing how to deal with an unresolved situation., said Hans Werner Aufrecht, the big boss of the DTM. Now we will be able to concentrate fully on our first race in Russia. »

“For the sake of the spirit of sport, we respect and accept the decision of the Court of Appeal of the German Motor Sports Federation”, said Jürgen Abt, the Team Principal of the team which runs Mattias Ekström. Case closed !