With a third-place finish at Hockenheim, Audi factory driver Mattias Ekström secured an eartly title win in the DTM, marking his second triumph in the most popular international touring car racing series after 2004. Even though Ekström is one of the world’s best touring car drivers, there are some facts you may not have known about him so far.
 
For example …
 
... Mattias Ekström failed the written part of his driving test the first time.
 
… passed the second time, despite having run a red light during the practical test, but the instructor didn’t notice.
 
… Mattias Ekström’s parents Bengt and Agneta gave their son a kart for Christmas in 1992 – the start to his career.
 
…only a year later, after a karting accident, Agneta paved the way for her son’s touring car début in the Renault 5 Cup because she felt that races in cars with a roof were safer.
 
… Mattias Ekström’s favourite dish are tiger prawns with spaghetti, tomatoes and ruccola salad.
 
… Mattias Ekström owns part of a bed shop in Zurich.
 
… Ekström’s father Bengt was a very successful rally-cross driver.
… Mattias Ekström in his free time assists young Swedish talent on their way into touring car racing.
 
… Mattias Ekström considers Michael Schumacher one of his role models. The reason: The German managed to form a strong team and to sustain its motivation for many years.
 
… the Swede will have the chance to defeat the seven-time Formula 1 Champion on 16 December: The two will compete against each other in the "Race of Champions" in London – Ekström as the title defender.
 
… Mattias Ekström attended the first football match of his life in a stadium before the DTM race at Barcelona. He watched the home victory of Audi’s partner FC Barcelona in the Champions League game against Lyon.
 
… Mattias Ekström has owned a small merchandising collection of his own since this year, including a poster, stickers and a Mini torch.
 
… Mattias Ekström, unlike many other racers, does not attach great importance to an individual design of his helmet. The only thing he really cares about is that his favourite motto "Go hard or go home" is painted on it.
… Mattias Ekström at Oschersleben as early as in 1999 contested a race for Team Abt Sportsline in the STW Championship and finished fourth.
 
… Mattias Ekström’s favourite number is one. It’s the same number that is painted on his Audi A4 in the upcoming DTM season.