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Kelvin van der Linde has already won the 24-hour race there twice and in 2021, in his first DTM season with ABT Sportsline, he won Saturday’s DTM race in commanding style. His teammate Ricardo Feller secured the title in the ADAC GT Masters at the Nürburgring in 2021 during a thrilling finale.
Last year, the two ABT drivers stood on the podium together for the first time in a DTM race in the Eifel: van der Linde in second place, Feller in third. For Kelvin van der Linde, it was a very special moment, because his brother Sheldon won the race. It was the first and so far only 1-2 victory for the two van der Lindes in the DTM.
The Nürburgring weekend is the end of the first half of the DTM season. This marks the beginning of a particularly important phase in the championship. Ricardo Feller is currently in third place in the standings, Kelvin van der Linde in twelfth.
Martin Tomczyk: “We are well prepared”
ABT Motorsport Director Martin Tomczyk also has fond memories of the Nürburgring’s 3.629-kilometre sprint circuit, where he himself won twice as a driver in the DTM in 2007 and 2009. For him, there is only one motto: “We want to position ourselves in the championship for the second half of the season. Despite the rather meagre points haul at the Norisring, Ricardo is in a good position in third place. Kelvin should not be written off yet either. We are well prepared. We saw again at the Norisring that our strategy and teamwork are good. And there are now a few tracks coming up that suit us. That’s why I’m looking forward to the weekend and the second half of the season with confidence.”
Ricardo Feller: “Important to score good points in both races”
Ricardo Feller has scored points in all six races of the 2023 season so far. The Swiss wants to continue this streak: “We had a little DTM break after the Norisring. I’m very happy that we can now get going again. I’m going into the Nürburgring weekend like any other, but of course with an ever bigger eye on the championship. That’s why it’s important to collect good points in both races – and bigger points than last time at the Norisring. But in terms of the track, the Nürburgring should suit us better. And I also hope that the BoP is a bit more balanced.”
Kelvin van der Linde: “It’s always been a track where I’ve performed well”
For Kelvin van der Linde, the Nürburgring is always worth a trip. “Driving there is always something special,” says the South African, who lives near Kempten. “The 1-2 VDL victory last year was of course a highlight. It was my only podium in the DTM last year. I hope to clinch my first DTM podium result this year. I have a good feeling about the Nürburgring and always enjoy travelling there. It’s always been a track where I’ve performed well. I’m really looking forward to the weekend.”
ProSieben will be broadcasting the two DTM races live on Saturday and Sunday, both from 1 PM CEST.
ABT driver Ricardo Feller about ...
... special memories of the Nürburgring: “The GT Masters title was of course a special experience, but every metre on the Nordschleife is also something very special. The whole experience at the Nürburgring, how the people experience it, is unique. This track is simply great.”
... the special characteristics of the sprint track: “The track is very short with many slow, long corners. You need a car that rotates well.”
... the best section of the track: “I like the two medium-fast corners, but also the Mercedes Arena with the hard braking zone and then the following very slow corner that drops down. And then the second, third and fourth corners – they have a nice flow.”
... the best overtaking opportunities: “The first corner and at the end of the back straight.”
... the best place to watch: “I would sit in the Mercedes grandstand at the Mercedes Arena.”
Video for download: A lap with Ricardo Feller on the Nürburgring sprint circuit.
Did you know that ...
... comedian Django Asül and ex-professional footballer David Odonkor will be guests of ABT Sportsline and ABT partner Schaeffler at the Nürburgring?
... both will experience the Nürburgring in Schaeffler’s DTM innovation taxi?
... Johannes Remmele, owner of ABT partner SÜDPACK, will come to the Nürburgring with his entire family, just like last year?
... ABT Partner Scherer is expecting more than 400 employees and guests at the Nürburgring?
... ABT Formula E driver Nico Müller will be at the Nürburgring as an expert for German TV Channel ProSieben?
... Nico Müller will be competing against Ricardo Feller and Kelvin van der Linde in a soapbox race on the Nordschleife on Thursday evening?
... the Soapbox Challenge will be monitored by the new AI system that ABT partner Fujitsu is installing around the Nordschleife?
... DTM fans will have the opportunity to win the unique soapboxes as part of the “Meet the Drivers” in the ADAC’s DTM Fan Zone?
... Ricardo Feller was already racing at the Nürburgring in the GT World Challenge last weekend and gained important experience regarding the behaviour of the Pirelli tyres?
... Ricardo Feller danced at two weddings in Düsseldorf and Bern on his only weekend off between the Norisring and the Nürburgring?
... Kelvin van der Linde was a TV expert at the Formula E race in Rome?
... Martin Tomczyk experienced his first two Formula E races as the ABT Motorsport Director live on site in Rome and London?