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

Sheldon van der Linde managed to position 3rd in the closing race at the Hockenheimring (GER) to declare the championship supplying BMW their very first winner considering the fact that Marco Wittmann in 2016 and South Africa’s very first-ever DTM winner.

Van der Linde held his nerve on the remaining race weekend of the year. On Saturday, he overcame a grid penalty to fight his way up from 16th to second position. He claimed fifth on the grid on Sunday and adopted this up by finishing third to access the podium after a faultless race. He chalked up 164 factors to major the drivers’ standings, 11 additional than Lucas Auer (AUT, Mercedes) in next position.

Van der Linde celebrated a few wins and six podiums in his championship year. It was his fourth period in the DTM and the 1st for his Schubert Motorsport workforce, which also secured the workforce title at the initially endeavor.

Franciscus van Meel (CEO BMW M GmbH): “What a superb day for the total BMW M Motorsport family members! Congratulations to Sheldon van der Linde and Schubert for successful the group and drivers’ championships! All people involved – the team, the drivers and the vehicle – sent great performances during the season and deserved this triumph. It is a extremely psychological working day for us all. Even additional so, as Marco Wittmann also managed to gain the final race. Looking at him and Sheldon celebrating jointly like that on the podium exhibits how effectively everybody gets on in the BMW M Motorsport relatives. Now we can rejoice!”

Sheldon van der Linde (#31 BMW M4 GT3, Schubert Motorsport): “Right now, it is difficult for me to explain my feelings. There are a million views heading by way of my head. I experienced a couple of sleepless evenings this week. I have to admit that the tension of heading into this weekend as championship leader was massive. It feels great now that this body weight is off my shoulders. At any time considering the fact that I was a youngster, I have dreamed of driving in the DTM. I am unbelievably very pleased and delighted now that I have received it. Increasing up in South Africa, generating the leap to the DTM seemed a pretty lengthy way absent. But now it has all worked out – I can scarcely imagine it!”

A large congratulations to the younger driver who we will be observing at the BMW M Fest this weekend so really do not fail to remember to let him know that he is the initial ever DTM Champion from sunny South Africa.