ABT announces Kelvin van der Linde’s departure ahead of possible move to BMW

Abbott Sportsline has announced its divestiture Kelvin Van Der Linde Ahead of his anticipated switch to BMW.

The 2024 DTM Championship runner-up will leave the Abt fold with eight race wins after four years in DTM, having also won his two ADAC GT Masters titles with the team in 2014.

The German outfit will switch to running Lamborghinis in the 2025 DTM after ending its long association with Audi.

As mentioned earlier, Van der Linde is expected to join younger brother and 2022 DTM champion Sheldon at BMW next yearHowever, the South African is unlikely to return to DTM next year.

Van der Linde could be named as a replacement after racing in the World Endurance Championship with Lexus in 2024 maxime martinThe Belgian has switched to Mercedes-AMG after originally being nominated against one of BMW’s LMGT3 entries.

He could also be in line for a seat in the pro ranks of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup.

Van der Linde said, “I always hoped this day would never come, so it’s difficult for me to find the right words.”

“I thank Abbott Sportsline very much. I came to Kempten as a young man and probably would have failed without the warmth and support of the people at Abbott.

“I made lifelong friends there and my heart will always beat for Abbott. This is not a judgment against Abbott, but any other manufacturer.”

Paying tribute, ABT Managing Director Thomas Biermeyer said that “it would be difficult for us” to let Kelvin go after coming close to the DTM title twice.

Van der Linde challenged for the crown in 2021 when the series restarted for GT3 cars, ultimately losing to Mercedes driver Maxi Götze.

“We’ve supported them since day one,” Biermeyer said. “When the opportunity arose to field Kelvin in the DTM in 2021, we jumped at the chance.

“We never regretted it, even if we did not achieve the big goal of winning the DTM title. Kelvin will always be one of us.”

Abt Motorsport director echoes Biermayer’s sentiments Martin TomczykWhose comments suggest the team’s hands were tied over whether to stick with 28-year-old Van der Linde.

“After 25 years with Audi, 2025 marks the beginning of a new era for ABT Sportsline in the DTM,” he said. “Being able to compete again in DTM with factory support is an important step for us.

“But the partnership with Lamborghini will also make a difference. Ideally, our drivers will come from the Lamborghini roster.

“Despite the efforts of Kelvin’s management and intensive discussions with Lamborghini, Kelvin will unfortunately not be available to us in 2025, which we all deeply regret.

“We have shared unforgettable moments and great successes together. With Kelvin we are losing not only a top driver but also a great personality.”

It is increasingly likely that the DTM champion Mirko Bortolotti Will join ABT next season to defend their title.