BMW Hypercar Co-Drivers the “Ultimate Goal” for VDL Brothers

Photo: BMW

Being co-drivers in BMW Team WRT’s Hypercar program is the “ultimate goal” for brothers Kelvin and Sheldon van der Linde, ahead of Kelvin’s first run in the BMW M Hybrid V8 in this weekend’s Bahrain rookie test.

The elder van der Linde, who joined the Bavarian manufacturer this year with a GT3-focused program, will get his first taste of LMDh machinery on Sunday as part of a reward by BMW for his multi championship-winning season that spanned two titles in GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS as well as the Intercontinental GT Challenge crown.

The 29-year-old South African, who also competes in Team WRT’s LMGT3 lineup in the WEC, said he’s looking forward to his long-awaited first chance in a top-flight prototype, after previously getting limited LMP2 experience.

Van der Linde was a factory driver at Audi Sport, and was set to be part of its Hypercar program until it was canceled in mid 2022.

Speaking with Sportscar365, Kelvin said he’ll be relying on the knowledge of his younger brother, who is in his second season with the Dallara-chassied LMDh car.

“It’s clear he’s one of the best guys to have in that car at the moment with the performances he’s done,” said Kelvin. “I hope he’s not going to be too fast on Sunday because I need to have a good test and see how we go.”

Sheldon has been nominated as the driver to complete several installation laps, before handing over to Kelvin and Charles Weerts, who has also been selected to test on the heels of his GT3 success alongside Kelvin this year.

“I think it’s literally one run for me, out, in, five laps and then setting the reference, obviously for him to have data to try to see where he can improve, but I’m pretty sure he’ll be on the pace straight away,” Sheldon said of his brother.

“I have no doubt he’ll be very close. As everything we’ve driven in our careers, it’s always been within one or two tenths, one way or another. I have no doubt that will be the case.

“He has some experience with the LMP2 already as well. I think he’ll hit the ground running.”

While growing up in South Africa, Sheldon was often following in Kelvin’s racing footsteps, until both reached the GT3 level in the mid-to-late 2010s, which saw their paths slightly diverge.

“As an older brother you naturally try and pull the younger brother along,” said Kelvin.

“But nowadays he’s basically become one of the established guys in Hypercar and I’ve done my way in touring cars and GT racing.

“I think this is nice that we can feed off each other’s experience now and benefit from each other’s experiences in different areas.

“It’s helped me a lot in the [BMW] GT3 car this year, obviously. I got up and running pretty quickly and now I hope I can do the same in the LMDh car.”

While having already won together as co-drivers in GT3 competition, most recently in this year’s Meguiar’s Bathurst 12 Hour in a Team WRT BMW M4 GT3, the van der Lindes are targeting a drive together in top-class prototypes.

“I think that would be huge for us. That’s obviously our ultimate goal is to be together at Le Mans one day and stand on the top step of the podium for the overall win.

“That’s definitely at the top of our list.

“Whether it’s reasonable for next year, we don’t know yet, to be honest. But it’s something within the next two or three years that we’re aiming for.

“We obviously hope that everything goes according to plan. That’s definitely our goal for sure.”

The last time brothers have won the 24 Hours of Le Mans outright were the infamous Bill and Don Whittington, who shared a Porsche 936 K3 with Klaus Ludwig in 1979.

“It’s the only scenario where there’s two brothers in the same [sports car] manufacturer that can fight for an overall win in Le Mans,” added Kelvin. “It’s something pretty historic that we’d like to try and aim for.

“It’s a short term goal, definitely. Let’s see. My job is to be quick and on pace for that to be a consideration.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John