Mattias Ekström, winner of the inaugural PURE ETCR Drivers’ title is planning to use many of the lessons learned during his maiden year of electric motorsport to full effect when he takes on the Dakar Rally in January.
The CUPRA X Zengo Motorsport driver triumphed in an ultra-dramatic title decider at Pau-Arnos E-Circuit as he snatched the world’s first all-electric touring car title by just four points from Hyundai Motorsport N’s Jean-Karl Vernay.
He said that the experience gained during the season will be of benefit when he tackles the world-famous ‘Rally Raid’ in Saudi Arabia for CUPRA’s sister brand, Audi, in the electric RS Q e-tron alongside co-driver Emil Bergkvist.
“In this sport, you need a lot of experience in all areas,” the Swede said. “For sure what I’ve learned in PURE ETCR about how you use the electric powertrain most effectively will be useful – and already has been in the testing in Africa.”
Ekström made his Dakar debut in 2021 in the ‘lightweight vehicle’ class.