South Africans have risen to the top ranks of world motorsport. We have a Formula One champion in Jody Scheckter, two-wheel champs in Ekerold and Binder, and we even have a Dakar Rally winner in Giniel de Villiers. Now we have South Africa’s First DTM Driver.

Joburger Sheldon van der Linde will make his DTM (German Touring Car) debut with BMW Motorsport this year. Van der Linde is set to become the first South African to race in the DTM since the series was launched 35 years ago.

In his blood

Sheldon van der Linde, who is just 19, started out racing karts at the age of six. His grandfather Hennie was a successful touring car driver, while father Shaun tasted success in BMW touring cars at home in South Africa and in Europe. The youngest Van der Linde moved into tin-top racing in 2014 and immediately won the Polo Cup series at his first attempt, aged just 15.

Click here to read about Hennie’s well-known Nissan Skyline.

Outside of SA, he has competed in the Audi TT Cup, TCR Germany, ADAC GT Masters, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and in the Blancpain GT Series.

In his own words

Van der Linde said: “The young driver test in the BMW M4 DTM was already a dream come true for me. To now have a place in the team for 2019 is incredible. I’m very proud to be continuing a family tradition from my father with such a famous car manufacturer, and one that is also very popular back home – and to be the first South African ever in the DTM. Ultimately, a big thank you to BMW Motorsport for the trust.”

Van der Linde will compete for BMW Team RBM in the 2019 season alongside Philipp Eng and Joel Eriksson.