DTM star Ekstrom shows up rally rivals.

DTM ace Mattias Ekstrom closed in on his first ever FIA World Rally Championship drivers' points Saturday, when he finished the second leg of the Swedish Rally in fifth place overall.

Although the Swede lies just 0.1 seconds ahead of Janne Tuohino in sixth, he is almost a minute up on Thomas Radstrom, who is seventh. Speaking following a day, in which he had a minor spin this morning, and electrical problems this afternoon, he noted that the crucial thing tomorrow will be to be swift and error free.

The 2004 DTM champion, who has contested 5 WRC events in Sweden, is now keen to prove the Red Bull Skoda Fabia has what it takes to finish in the top eight.

"The car felt comfortable the whole day long," he reflected, failing to mention the electrical problems on the opening loop. "If you look at the stage times, you realise how close this rally is fought. I stalled the engine on the last stage and lost eleven seconds just like that. Tiny mistakes may cost you one or even two positions. It's like a roller coaster. That's why it's so important to stay error-free yet swift on Sunday."

Red Bull boss, Armin Schwarz meanwhile was pleased not only with Ekstrom, but also his team-mate, Andreas Aigner, who overnights in 21st place on his debut in Sweden.

"We are dealing with very difficult conditions here in Sweden, and so far we are doing a solid job," concluded the German. "Our performance gets appreciated by the scores of fans, we are quite popular with the crowd."