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Kelvin van der Linde Parts Ways with Abt Sportsline as Transition to BMW Approaches

Abt Sportsline has confirmed its separation from Kelvin van der Linde, who is poised for a notable shift to BMW. After four seasons in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) with the team, during which he secured eight race victories, van der Linde looks toward new opportunities. His association with Abt dates back to 2014, when he clinched his first title in the ADAC GT Masters with the organization.

Abt Sportsline is set to make a significant change by transitioning to Lamborghini for the upcoming 2025 DTM season, marking the end of a long-standing partnership with Audi. This switch represents a new chapter in both Abt’s strategy and the DTM landscape.

Reports suggest that van der Linde’s future lies with his brother, Sheldon, who won the DTM championship in 2022, as they both prepare to join BMW. Despite these developments, it seems improbable that the South African driver will compete in the DTM next season. Following his tenure in the World Endurance Championship with Lexus in 2024, he may also be a candidate to replace Maxime Martin, who has moved to Mercedes-AMG.

Additionally, there are prospects of van der Linde securing a position within the Pro category of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup, reflecting his ongoing relevance in the competitive motorsport scene.

Expressing his sentiments on the transition, van der Linde shared, “I had always hoped that this day would never come, so it is difficult for me to find the right words. I owe a lot to Abt Sportsline. When I arrived in Kempten as a young man, the support and warmth from everyone at Abt were instrumental in my growth.”

He further added, “I built lifelong friendships there and my loyalty will always remain with Abt. This decision isn’t against Abt; it is for a new opportunity with another manufacturer.”

In response, Abt Managing Director Thomas Biermaier acknowledged the challenges of parting ways with van der Linde, particularly after coming close to clinching the DTM title on two occasions. In 2021, he fought for the championship, only to be edged out by Mercedes’ Maxi Gotz.

Biermaier remarked, “We have supported him from day one. When we had the chance to field Kelvin in the DTM in 2021, we embraced it. Although we didn’t achieve the ultimate goal of winning the title, Kelvin will always be a part of our team.”

Martin Tomczyk, the Director of Abt Motorsport, echoed these feelings, indicating the necessity for the team to adapt. “With 2025 marking a new era for ABT Sportsline in the DTM, we are excited about competing with factory support. This partnership with Lamborghini, however, brings inevitable changes, and it’s unfortunate that we will not have Kelvin in our lineup next season. We have shared many remarkable moments and achievements, and losing him is a significant loss for us.”

Looking ahead, it appears that recent DTM champion Mirko Bortolotti may be in line to join Abt as they gear up for the new season.

Source
www.autosport.com