With three victories under his belt, Kelvin van der Linde is among the absolute grandmasters of the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. RacingNews365 spoke exclusively with the South African about the switch to BMW, the threat of Max Verstappen and the tactical nightmare of rain.
The 24 Hours of Nurburgring is considered one of the toughest races globally due to the demanding track layout. The upcoming 2026 edition is scheduled a month earlier than usual, adding to the challenge. Defending champion Kelvin van der Linde faces stiff competition and unpredictable weather conditions this year. Despite his previous success, he acknowledges the difficulty of securing another win on the notorious Nordschleife. Van der Linde is focused on improving his performance, especially given the heightened attention on the reigning champions during the preparation races. The shift to a May race date raises concerns about increased rain and its impact on the BMW team’s performance. Additionally, the introduction of new Michelin tires for wet conditions poses a significant challenge, as the right tire choice is crucial on the unforgiving Nurburgring track.
