Abt pronounces Kelvin van der Linde departure forward of probably BMW transfer

Abt Sportsline has introduced its break up with Kelvin van der Linde forward of his anticipated swap to BMW.

The 2024 DTM championship runner-up will depart the Abt fold after 4 years within the DTM with eight race wins, having additionally gained his first of two ADAC GT Masters titles with the squad in 2014.

The German outfit will swap to operating Lamborghinis within the 2025 DTM after ending its prolonged affiliation with Audi.

As beforehand reported, van der Linde is anticipated to hitch youthful brother and 2022 DTM champion Sheldon at BMW subsequent 12 months. Nevertheless, the South African seems unlikely to return to DTM subsequent 12 months.

Having raced within the World Endurance Championship with Lexus in 2024, van der Linde may very well be nominated because the alternative for Maxime Martin, the Belgian having switched to Mercedes-AMG after initially being named in opposition to one among BMW’s LMGT3 entries.

He may be lined up for a seat within the Professional ranks of the GT World Problem Europe Endurance Cup.

“I had at all times hoped that this present day would by no means come, so it’s tough for me to seek out the precise phrases,” mentioned van der Linde.

“I’ve rather a lot to thank Abt Sportsline for. I got here to Kempten as a younger man and would most likely have failed with out the heat and help of the individuals at Abt.

“I made lifelong pals there and my coronary heart will at all times beat for Abt. It’s not a choice in opposition to Abt, however for an additional producer.”

Paying tribute, Abt managing director Thomas Biermaier mentioned it might be “laborious for us to let Kelvin go” after twice coming near the DTM title.

Van der Linde challenged for the crown in 2021 when the collection rebooted for GT3 vehicles, in the end being defeated by Mercedes driver Maxi Gotz.

“We’ve supported him from day one,” Biermaier mentioned. “When the chance arose to discipline Kelvin within the DTM in 2021, we jumped on the probability.

“We’ve by no means regretted it, despite the fact that we didn’t obtain the large aim of profitable the DTM title. Kelvin will at all times be one among us.”

Biermaier’s sentiments have been echoed by Abt motorsport director Martin Tomczyk, whose feedback recommend that the group’s palms have been tied over persevering with with 28-year-old van der Linde.

“After 25 years with Audi, 2025 marks the start of a brand new period for ABT Sportsline within the DTM,” he mentioned. “It is a vital step for us to have the ability to compete within the DTM once more with manufacturing unit help.

“However the partnership with Lamborghini will even result in adjustments. Ideally, our drivers will come from the Lamborghini roster.

“Regardless of the efforts of Kelvin’s administration and intensive discussions with Lamborghini, Kelvin will sadly not be obtainable to us in 2025, which all of us very a lot remorse.

“We’ve shared unforgettable moments and nice successes collectively. With Kelvin we’re shedding not solely a prime driver but in addition an important character.”

It appears more and more probably that DTM champion Mirko Bortolotti will be a part of the Abt subsequent season for his title defence.