Kelvin van der Linde joins BMW as a works driver for 2025

BMW has announced that Kelvin van der Linde will join the group of factory drivers in 2025, two years after parting ways with rival German brand Audi.

As Motorsport.com reported last week, the South African driver will join BMW's works squad next 12 months alongside younger brother Sheldon van der Linde, after spending the last two seasons as an independent driver with no connection to the manufacturer.

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The two-time Nürburgring 24 Hours winner will participate in an “extensive racing program” with the brand new evo version of the BMW M4 GT3 in 2025, although exact details of his schedule will probably be revealed at a later date.

He is predicted to mix a campaign within the LMGT3 class of the Endurance World Championship with a season in GT World Challenge Europe. Selected performances in endurance classics are also planned.

Although the doors to the LMGT3 had previously been closed, with BMW already appointing Maxime Martin and Augusto Farfus as skilled drivers of its two-car LMGT3 range, Martin's sudden departure from the works line-up to Mercedes opened up a brand new seat.

Van der Linde already has experience racing within the WEC, having began the 2024 season with ASP on the wheel of the Lexus RC F GT3.

“I am looking forward to the new challenge at BMW M Motorsport,” he said. “It's a full circle for me and my family.

“My father drove BMW touring cars, and when my brother Sheldon moved to BMW M Motorsport a couple of years ago, I at all times dreamed that we might go there together in the future. This dream is now coming true.

Sheldon van der Linde, Schubert Motorsport, Kelvin van der Linde, ABT Sportsline Team

Photo: Alexander Trienitz

“In the coming season I will have an extensive racing program, so I will have a lot of time behind the wheel of the BMW M4 GT3 EVO. This will really help me get used to the new car quickly.”

Van der Linde had already explained in a social media post this week that he would “probably take a year” break from the DTM in 2025 when it was announced he could be parting ways with Abt Sportsline.

The 28-year-old has been racing within the German category for Audi Abt since 2021, winning a complete of eight races and ending second within the championship this 12 months behind SSR Lamborghini's Mirko Bortolotti.

BMW appears to don’t have any room to accommodate van der Linde on its DTM lineup. In 2024, he’ll field previous champions Rene Rast, Marco Wittmann and Sheldon van der Linde within the three-car Schubert Motorsport team.

Speaking concerning the elder van der Linde's appointment, BMW Motorsport boss Andreas Roos said: “I’m delighted to welcome Kelvin van der Linde to the BMW M Motorsport family. He has proven over a few years to be one among the best possible GT drivers on the planet and has demonstrated impressive ends in countless races.

“Kelvin is a great addition to our high-quality driver lineup. We want to continue to implement an extensive racing program with our new BMW M4 GT3 EVO and fight for victories and titles in the most important events of the GT season. Kelvin van der Linde will be a huge support in achieving our ambitious goals.”