KELVIN VANDER LINDE, the 30‑year‑old BMW works driver, strode back into the cockpit of the M4 GT3 Evo after a bruising crash at the Norisring, announcing his readiness for the coming DTM event.
Swift Return to the M4 GT3 Evo
Within a week of the Norisring incident, van der Linde’s team rebuilt the car, a feat praised by the driver himself. “It was amazing what they achieved,” he told ran.de, underscoring the rapid turnaround.
70‑Lap Test in Oschersleben
On the permitted private joker test day, van der Linde logged approximately 70 laps around the sunny Oschersleben circuit, where temperatures hovered just below 30 °C. He noted the machine’s instant pace and smooth handling, saying the car felt “perfectly prepared.” Teammates Marco Wittmann, Ben Dorr, and Timo Glock also completed the programme.
Targeting the DTM Weekend
Undefeated by the crash’s aftermath, van der Linde expressed confidence heading into the DTM weekend in one week. “I’m fit and the pace is there,” he said, noting the team’s anticipation for front‑line performance despite Oschersleben not favoring BMWs historically. With the season halfway, the driver sits in twelfth place and aims to reverse the mid‑season slump.
Misano and the GT World Challenge
Following the home race, van der Linde is set to return to full‑race duty in Italy for the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup at Misano. He will partner with Belgian driver Charles Weerts, marking his first complete weekend since the crash. Medical clearance came from teams after a final assessment at the hospital for safety reasons.
Colleagues Face Recovery Challenges
While van der Linde suits up, teammate Maximilian Paul remains sidelined after a fractured tibia, fibula, and lumbar vertebra. Palata’s surgical ankle repair and ongoing rehabilitation keep him off the track. Stav, German sponsormaker Gottfried Grasser, left the status of a second Lamborghini Testarari GT3 for Oschersleben uncertain, citing parts availability.
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