Mattias Ekstrom: “I think it’s a good school for me, driving here”

Dakar 2023 | Stage 12 | SHUBAYTAH > SHUBAYTAH
January 13 ^th 2023 - 11:32 [GMT + 3]

 Mattias Ekström finished second three minutes behind Sébastien Loeb and picked up a second consecutive podium on a special on stage twelve. The Swede is the last Audi driver in the race and climbs up to ninth place in the provisional general rankings.  

 “It’s not much – I would say it’s the third day here, but we are trying to take it steady and learn step by step. It’s not so easy. Today was a bit softer. The more you drive at the front, the harder it is around the top of the dunes. I think it’s a good school for me, driving here. I’m very happy. No technical issues, no problems – everything was working fine. In two places, I chose the wrong route when we were over a dune so I made a little detour, but in general it was very good. We will try and bring the car to the finish, that’s the main goal”.