EKS Audi Sport first double podium of 2018 in Germany.

PHOTO CREDIT: Audi Sport 

Mattias Ekström and Andreas Bakkerud in second and third in Germany celebrated the first two podium finishes in a single event for EKS Audi Sport in the 2018 season. 

Ekström only had to admit defeat to World Champion Johan Kristoffersson by 1.849 seconds.

The two EKS Audi Sport drivers created a good base for the final races: On Sunday, Mattias Ekström won the third qualifying session and placed fourth in the intermediate classification while Andreas Bakkerud with consistent performances was in second position. As a result, Bakkerud and Ekström started to the semi-finals on the front row. 

In the final, Andreas Bakkerud claimed an early lead at Turn 1, but later dropped behind Kristoffersson. Bakkerud and Ekström were in second and fourth when the race was stopped due to an accident involving Team Peugeot Total's Kevin Hansen. Following the restart, Mattias Ekström clinched second place ahead of Bakkerud.

“We’re happy about having finished on podium with both Audi cars,” said Ekström. “We’d been hoping for victory and came very close, but not close enough. The competition was very strong once again."

"However, there’s one more race to go. We’re continuing to work hard and fight," he adds. "I believe in this team and we’re going to give our all to close the season in South Africa with a victory and runner-up finish."

Ekström heads to South Africa leading the battle for second in the drivers' championship. There is only 7 points splitting the Swede and fourth place, Petter Solberg.