P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Sheldon van der Linde told select media including Motorsport Week that making his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut in the premier Hypercar class with BMW represents a unique challenge. “[It’s] very emotional,” van der Linde acknowledged ahead of his Le Mans debut. “I mean, normally people come here in GT and, and kind of […]
Kelvin van der Linde expressed the emotional significance of his Le Mans debut, highlighting the unique challenge he faces transitioning straight into the Hypercar category without prior experience. As a successful BMW driver, van der Linde won the 2022 DTM title but now enters Le Mans with limited endurance racing experience. Despite this, his prior races with the M Hybrid V8 prototype and stints at Daytona and Sebring provide a solid foundation. Van der Linde remains confident, emphasizing the need to learn the nuances of the Le Mans track and the secrets it holds. While Team WRT’s BMWs may face tough competition from established marques like Porsche and Toyota, van der Linde and co-driver Robin Frijns showed promise during testing, hinting at further potential for their M Hybrid V8 package. Van der Linde is focused on fine-tuning the BMW’s setup throughout the weekend to maximize performance and build on their promising starting point.
