Born in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1999, Sheldon van der Linde represents a new generation of BMW excellence, a driver defined by speed, discipline, and quiet determination. From his historic 2022 DTM Championship to his rise as a factory driver in BMW’s global endurance programs, Van der Linde has become one of the most accomplished young talents in international GT racing.

Sheldon’s racing journey began in karting before quickly progressing through South Africa’s junior categories and into European GT competition. In 2016 Van Der Linden would go on to race Audi Sport TT Cup, a support series for DTM, and would make immediate impact winning both races in the opening round at Hockenheimring. In 2019 it was announced that he would take part with BMW Team RBM in DTM , making him the first South African driver to compete in the series.

In 2020, Van der Linde claimed his first DTM victory at Assen, becoming the youngest BMW race winner in the championship’s history. Two years later, he reached the pinnacle of his career, securing the 2022 DTM Drivers’ Championship with Schubert Motorsport, and in doing so, becoming the first South African ever to win a DTM title. His technical maturity and precision behind the wheel have since made him a cornerstone of BMW’s modern factory program.

Beyond DTM, Van der Linde has earned success in major endurance events such as the Kyalami 9 Hour and 24 Hours of Spa, and continues to expand his resume as part of BMW’s Hypercar effort with the BMW M Hybrid V8.

Still early in his career, Sheldon van der Linde embodies the modern endurance ethos, uniting raw speed with engineering insight and composure.