Sheldon van der Linde managed to put 3rd in the ultimate race at the Hockenheimring (GER) to claim the championship supplying BMW their very first winner given that Marco Wittmann in 2016 and South Africa’s 1st-ever DTM champion.
Van der Linde held his nerve on the last race weekend of the year. On Saturday, he overcame a grid penalty to battle his way up from 16th to next location. He claimed fifth on the grid on Sunday and adopted this up by ending third to reach the podium after a faultless race. He chalked up 164 factors to best the drivers’ standings, 11 extra than Lucas Auer (AUT, Mercedes) in next position.
Van der Linde celebrated three wins and six podiums in his championship period. It was his fourth time in the DTM and the initial for his Schubert Motorsport crew, which also secured the workforce title at the initially try.
Franciscus van Meel (CEO BMW M GmbH): “What a exceptional day for the complete BMW M Motorsport spouse and children! Congratulations to Sheldon van der Linde and Schubert for profitable the team and drivers’ championships! All people involved – the group, the motorists and the car – delivered fantastic performances all over the time and deserved this triumph. It is a extremely emotional day for us all. Even far more so, as Marco Wittmann also managed to earn the remaining race. Viewing him and Sheldon celebrating with each other like that on the podium shows how perfectly absolutely everyone gets on in the BMW M Motorsport family. Now we can rejoice!”
Sheldon van der Linde (#31 BMW M4 GT3, Schubert Motorsport): “Right now, it is extremely hard for me to describe my feelings. There are a
