Kelvin van der Linde joins BMW as factory driver in 2025

BMW has introduced that Kelvin van der Linde will be a part of its pool of manufacturing facility drivers in 2025, two years after he break up with rival German model Audi.

As reported by Autosport last week, the South African will unite with youthful brother Sheldon van der Linde at BMW’s manufacturing facility roster subsequent 12 months after spending the final two seasons as an impartial driver with none producer affiliation.

The 2-time Nurburgring 24 Hours winner will participate in an “in depth racing programme” with the brand new evo model of the BMW M4 GT3 in 2025, though the precise particulars of his schedule will probably be revealed at a later date.

It’s anticipated that he’ll mix a marketing campaign within the LMGT3 class of the World Endurance Championship with a season in GT World Problem Europe. Choose outings in endurance classics are additionally on the playing cards.

Though the LMGT3 door was beforehand closed, with BMW having already nominated Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus because the skilled drivers for its two-car LMGT3 line-up, Martin’s sudden departure from the factory line-up to join Mercedes has opened up a seat.

Van der Linde already has expertise of racing within the WEC, having contested the 2024 season with ASP in a Lexus RC F GT3.

“I am actually wanting ahead to the brand new problem at BMW M Motorsport,” he mentioned. “For me and my household, it is a full circle.

“My father drove BMW touring automobiles, and after my brother Sheldon moved to BMW M Motorsport a number of years in the past, it was all the time my dream that we’d drive there collectively in some unspecified time in the future. This dream is now coming true.

“I’ll have an in depth racing programme within the coming season and can due to this fact get a variety of driving time within the BMW M4 GT3 EVO. It will assist me so much to shortly get used to the brand new automotive.”

Van der Linde already defined in a social media publish this week that he would “in all probability take a one-year” break from the DTM in 2025 when it was announced that he will be splitting with Abt Sportsline.

The 28-year-old had been racing within the German class with Audi squad Abt since 2021, profitable a complete of eight races and ending runner-up within the championship to SSR Lamborghini’s Mirko Bortolotti this 12 months.

BMW doesn’t seem to have any area to accommodate van der Linde in its DTM line-up. In 2024, it fielded earlier champions Rene Rast, Marco Wittmann and Sheldon van der Linde within the three-car Schubert Motorsport workforce.

Talking of the elder van der Linde’s appointment, BMW motorsport chief Andreas Roos mentioned: “I’m delighted to welcome Kelvin van der Linde to the BMW M Motorsport household. He has confirmed over a few years that he is likely one of the absolute prime GT drivers on this planet and has proven spectacular performances in numerous races.

“Kelvin is a superb addition to our high-class driver line-up. We need to proceed to finish an in depth racing programme with our new BMW M4 GT3 EVO and combat for victories and titles within the large GT highlights of the season. Kelvin van der Linde will probably be a terrific assist in attaining our bold objectives.”