Sheldon van der Linde completes BMW line-up for 2019

Aligned during rookie tests at the end of 2018, Sheldon van der Linde therefore caught the eye of BMW Motorsport. The South African driver, brother of Kelvin, both of whom have been regulars in recent seasons in the GT3 category in the Audi Sport Customer Racing fold, becomes the new recruit of the Munich brand to compete in the 2019 season of the DTM.

“It’s great to have another young talent on our team, admits Jens Marquardt, boss of BMW Motorsport. Sheldon made a strong impression on us behind the wheel of the BMW M4 DTM during the young driver tests in mid-December.

Previously, we had followed his GT career very carefully. Sheldon's speed and versatility make him the perfect fit for our program. I am convinced that he will quickly find his feet in DTM. »

The future first South African to compete in the German championship, 19-year-old Sheldon van der Linde started out in the Volkswagen Polo Cup in his native country in 2014 before coming to Europe and trying his luck in the Audi TT Cup and TCR Germany, before taking the plunge into GT last year.

Aligned with his brother Kelvin in the Audi R8 LMS GT3 – Montaplast by Land Motorsport, Sheldon van der Linde shone in the ADAC GT Masters by finishing vice-champion behind the duo Mathieu Jaminet – Robert Renauer. Seen in Blancpain GT Series or IMSA, van der Linde gained serious experience in the category before being offered a test in DTM with BMW.

Sheldon van der Linde will support his M4, now equipped with a turbo engine, other Team RBM starters Philipp Eng and Joel Eriksson. Bruno Spengler, Marco Wittmann and Timo Glock will play under the RMG banner.