Sheldon van der Linde Is The First Ever South African DTM Champion

Sheldon van der Linde managed to spot third in the ultimate race at the Hockenheimring (GER) to claim the championship supplying BMW their initial winner considering that Marco Wittmann in 2016 and South Africa’s initially-ever DTM champion.

Van der Linde held his nerve on the ultimate race weekend of the year. On Saturday, he overcame a grid penalty to fight his way up from 16th to second area. He claimed fifth on the grid on Sunday and followed this up by finishing third to achieve the podium just after a faultless race. He chalked up 164 factors to prime the drivers’ standings, 11 additional than Lucas Auer (AUT, Mercedes) in 2nd place.

Van der Linde celebrated a few wins and six podiums in his championship time. It was his fourth year in the DTM and the very first for his Schubert Motorsport crew, which also secured the group title at the very first attempt.

Franciscus van Meel (CEO BMW M GmbH): “What a fantastic working day for the full BMW M Motorsport family members! Congratulations to Sheldon van der Linde and Schubert for winning the team and drivers’ championships! Absolutely everyone concerned – the workforce, the drivers and the automobile – shipped fantastic performances in the course of the period and deserved this triumph. It is a incredibly psychological day for us all. Even far more so, as Marco Wittmann also managed to gain the closing race. Seeing him and Sheldon celebrating jointly like that on the podium exhibits how perfectly every person receives on in the BMW M Motorsport relatives. Now we can celebrate!”

Sheldon van der Linde (#31 BMW M4 GT3, Schubert Motorsport): “Right now, it is impossible for me to describe my thoughts. There are a million feelings going by my head. I had a couple sleepless nights this week. I have to confess that the stress of going into this weekend as championship leader was large. It feels excellent now that this excess weight is off my shoulders. At any time because I was a youngster, I have dreamed of driving in the DTM. I am unbelievably very pleased and delighted now that I have gained it. Increasing up in South Africa, generating the leap to the DTM appeared a incredibly extended way away. But now it has all worked out – I can barely think it!”

A massive congratulations to the young driver who we will be seeing at the BMW M Fest this weekend so really don’t forget to enable him know that he is the 1st ever DTM Champion from sunny South Africa.