ABT to Remain with Audi for 2024 Campaign

ABT Sportsline will continue to field a pair of Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo IIs in DTM next year, attracting backing from Red Bull while at the same time retaining its current driver pairing of Kelvin van der Linde and Ricardo Feller.

Both Van der Linde and Feller will pilot a Red Bull-liveried Audi in the German sprint series next season, which kicks off at Oschersleben on April 27-28.

The German squad has opted to continue fielding machinery from the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer next season, even as Audi Sport customer racing’s strategic operations will be shut down next year, although on-site customer support will continue.

“We are proud to be the first team to present our complete package for the next DTM season,” said ABT Motorsport Director Martin Tomczyk.

“This gives us a definite head start for our preparations ahead of 2024. As far as the car and drivers are concerned, we are relying on the tried and tested.

“ABT and Audi have been working together in the DTM for 24 years. You don’t just end such a successful and good partnership, even if the general conditions change.

“We have always emphasized that we want to continue with Ricardo and Kelvin. I can’t imagine a better driver pairing in the DTM at the moment.

“The return of Red Bull as a partner on our cars is the icing on the cake and will give wings to everyone in the team.”

The Austrian energy drink giant has partnered with ABT in the past. Its branding appeared on ABT machinery between 2002 and 2018, scoring 27 race victories and a pair of championship crowns for Mattias Ekstrom.

“I feel extremely comfortable at ABT and my plan is for us to continue working together for a very long time,” said Van der Linde.

“Red Bull has great status in motorsport. If you can drive a Red Bull car as a driver, then that is a special privilege.

“And the cooperation with Ricardo has always been good over the past two years. We have always got on well and supported each other. I think we are one of the strongest driver pairings on the grid.”

Feller can still win his first DTM title this weekend, sitting third in the standings behind Thomas Preining and Mirko Bortolotti with two races remaining.

“Basically, not so much changes and that’s a good thing,” said Feller.

“It was always my dream to come to the DTM. I’m living that dream. And then to be in a team like ABT makes me extremely happy.

“Kelvin and I are a good duo. Of course, every teammate wants to be the faster one, but the cooperation works well. I hope that with Red Bull behind us, we will be even stronger next year.”