Recently-crowned 2007 DTM king Mattias Ekström has barely stopped since lifting the prestigious laurels for a second time last month, with appointments galore for tin-top racing's latest double champion.

Having wrapped up the honours in the season finale at Hockenheim on 14 October, the Audi Sport Team Abt Sportsline ace has hardly seen his apartment on the shores of Lake Constance, with TV and radio appearances, invites to the MTV Music Awards, 'GQ Men of the Year' and 'Goldenen Lenkrad' shows and – in just under three weeks' time – an outing in the coveted Race of Champions at Wembley Stadium in London, where the Swede will take on fellow multiple title-winners Michael Schumacher and Andy Priaulx among others.

“One appointment follows the next,” the 29-year-old explained. “It's only from 18 December onwards that I will finally have a few days to myself!

“There are a great many highlights thrown in which really are a lot of fun, though. Last week, for example, I cooked for friends, colleagues and journalists at the Da Capo restaurant in Stuttgart – it was very amusing. However, the most interesting event was 'Talk of the Town' in Munich with Bryan Adams. It was the first time I had ever seen him live and it was great.”

Another highlight for both Ekström and team-mate Martin Tomczyk was undoubtedly the 'Gala of Champions 2007' held by the Deutsche Motor Sport Bund (DMSB) in historical Petersberg, whilst back on-track preparations for 2008 have already begun in earnest with testing at Vallelunga in Italy.

“Of course this event (the gala) was a little bit more formal and quiet,” he added, “but it was still something special, because when you are awarded the trophy for winning the DTM championship it is finally clear you have achieved something of importance this year.

“As always I have the most fun in the cockpit, though, I can hardly wait for the new season to get started!”

“The hustle and bustle around Mattias shows just how great the interest is in the DTM,” proudly added Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. “Mattias knows such appointments are a part of his job, and he proves to be absolute professional in this field.”