Kelvin van der Linde Secures First DTM Victory for BMW at Zandvoort
Kelvin van der Linde has claimed his first DTM victory for BMW in the second race at Zandvoort. The South African driver, who started from pole position, initially lost the lead to Thierry Vermeulen (Emil Frey Ferrari) after a mistake but fought back to the front after the second pit stop, ultimately securing an unchallenged victory with a lead of over six seconds.
Factors Contributing to van der Linde’s Success
Van der Linde’s victory was attributed to several factors, including the Balance of Performance adjustments made in favor of the M4 GT3 Evo on Saturday evening and his ability to save a fresh set of tyres due to his early retirement the previous day. “I knew we had the fresh tyres for the end,” van der Linde said in an interview with ProSieben.
The Crucial Role of Tyre Strategy
The tyre strategy played a significant role in van der Linde’s success. By saving his fresh tyres for the final stint, he was able to outpace his competitors and secure the win. “A mega team result with Marco, but my heart almost stopped after that slide out there,” van der Linde added, highlighting the tense moments during the race.
Ben Dörr Claims Maiden DTM Podium for Dörr-McLaren
Behind van der Linde, Ben Dörr delivered an impressive performance, driving to second place and claiming his first DTM podium, as well as Dörr-McLaren’s maiden podium finish. Marco Wittmann (Schubert BMW) completed the podium in third place.
Championship Standings and Next Race
Maro Engel (Winward Mercedes) finished fourth, reclaiming the championship lead with 67 points. Lucas Auer (Landgraf Mercedes) dropped to second place with 61 points, while Marco Wittmann moved up to third with 51 points. The next DTM race weekend is scheduled to take place from June 19 to 21 at the Lausitzring.
Race Highlights and Incidents
The race was marked by several incidents, including a puncture for Bastian Buus (Land Porsche), which forced him to retire. Jules Gounon (Winward Mercedes) triggered the sole Safety Car period after losing control of his car and damaging a polystyrene sign at the side of the track.
Pit Stop Drama
The Winward Mercedes team experienced pit stop issues, with Maro Engel losing nearly 15 seconds due to problems with the wheel gun. Team boss Christian Hohenadel explained that the issue was likely related to air pressure or the wheel gun itself.
Conclusion and Future Outlook
Kelvin van der Linde’s victory marked a significant milestone for BMW in the DTM series. As the championship progresses, teams and drivers will look to adapt their strategies and improve their performance. For the latest updates and analysis on the DTM series, stay tuned to our coverage.
The DTM series continues to captivate fans with its thrilling races and competitive field. With the next race weekend approaching at the Lausitzring, expectations are high for another exciting round of racing.
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