Timing of Ekstrom's DTM departure "strange" - Green

Two-time champion Ekstrom called an end on his 17-year spell in the DTM as Audi’s most successful driver in the series after a Hockenheim farewell in a seventh RS5 DTM.

Ekstrom took the decision to quit the DTM amid increased Audi backing of his World RX team and a desire to spend more time with his family, rather than balance two series.

But Green says he was surprised to hear about Ekstrom’s choice, labelling it "a bit strange".

“When I heard that he was stopping over the winter time I was surprised because I would have thought he would have said something last year," Green told Motorsport.com. 

“I think he was so focused on last season and when it was over – obviously he was gunning for the championship last year and didn’t get it, so he was probably focussed on that - and decided it was the right time to stop. 

“It was a surprise I didn’t see coming at the time. The fact he’s here racing even though he’s stopped [full-time] is also a bit unusual. 

“But on a personal note, Mattias is a really likeable character and I think you either love him or you hate him, but I think most people actually like him.” 

When Ekstrom was asked by Motorsport.com on Friday if he was expecting an emotional weekend, he said: “I think it’s wonderful. 

“You spend so many years somewhere, on the one side it’s hard, on the other side it’s also the end of a chapter and it always starts a new one."

He added that arriving at Hockenheim with no testing or preparation was an odd feeling.

“In some ways, I don’t miss it,” he said. “It’s strange but that’s how it is, I feel like I achieved a lot, we won some [23] races, two championships. 

“I’m proud of the number of podiums [76] and I feel I have entertained people well over the years.”

Audi DTM boss Dieter Gass told Motorsport.com he wished Audi could provide a more successful finale for Ekstrom, whose best result last weekend was 16th.

“He would have liked to [have been] a bit more in the mix-up front and we would have loved to give him the chance to do it. He handled the day [well],” Gass said. 

ITR boss Gerhard Berger suggested to Motorsport.com that Ekstrom’s exit from the DTM would not be final, although Gass disagreed with his assessment.

He added: “If you see how the fans reacted to his burnouts there at the end of the race, I think it was a well-deserved farewell from DTM. 

“Thanks to Mattias for everything he did for Audi over the past 17 years. It isn’t a definitive goodbye, he carries on in World RX."