WEC News: Van der Linde Faces Unique Challenge in Le Mans Debut with BMW in Hypercar Class
In an exclusive interview with Motorsport Week, Sheldon van der Linde expressed his emotions ahead of making his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut in the premier Hypercar class with BMW, citing it as a unique challenge.
“I mean, normally people come here in GT and kind of get experience in the GT car and learn the track. But for me, there was no learning phase. It was straight into the Hypercar this year, which is something very unique and obviously, a big challenge for me,” the South African driver acknowledged.
Van der Linde, a mainstay of the BMW stable and 2022 DTM title winner, may be an experienced driver, but he lacks experience at Le Mans. Like the BMW-run WRT programme, this is his first visit to Le Mans with the M Hybrid V8 prototype, and he doesn’t have prior experience in the GT categories to rely on.
Despite the challenge ahead, van der Linde is confident that his three prior outings in the M Hybrid V8 during the opening rounds of the 2024 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), plus his experience at Daytona and Sebring last year in the prototype machine, stand him in good stead this week.
“I know the Hypercar. I’ve done three races in it, more even with Daytona last year and Sebring. So I’m feeling quite comfortable. But it’s a lot of learning in Le Mans itself to get to know the track and all the little secrets that go along with it,” he said.
The Team WRT BMWs will face stiff competition from the likes of Porsche, Toyota, and Ferrari at Le Mans this year, with all three marques looking strong so far in the 2024 FIA WEC campaign. However, van der Linde’s #20 M Hybrid V8 co-driver Robin Frijns impressed with a 3:28.072 effort in the afternoon test session to finish sixth, ahead of fellow Hypercar newcomers Alpine, Lamborghini, and Isotta Fraschini.
Following the test sessions, van der Linde believes there’s more to come from the BMW package.
“Obviously the first session is just about getting the ride heights right, like all the basics, you know, making sure that the car doesn’t bottom out on the kerbs. We’re obviously going to fine-tune the setup throughout the weekend and make sure that it’s even faster than what it was. But I think the baseline we started with is very promising,” the South African said.
With the 2024 FIA WEC season heating up, van der Linde’s performance at Le Mans will be crucial for BMW’s chances in the Hypercar class. Can he rise to the challenge and secure a podium finish for the German marque? Only time will tell.
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