BMW Motorsport News

DTM: Shell part of the action as Premium Technology Partner
once again in 2019 – Sheldon van der Linde at the wheel of the Shell
BMW M4 DTM.

Shell is on board as a Premium Technology Partner of BMW Motorsport
once again in 2019. The Shell Helix Ultra logo will feature
prominently on all six BMW racing cars again this season. And a car
with the striking red and white Shell design will return to the
starting grid again. At its wheel will be a talented newcomer to BMW’s
DTM driver line-up: Sheldon van der Linde (RSA) is set to contest his
first DTM season in the Shell BMW M4 DTM. Since 2015, Shell has been
the only engine oil manufacturer recommended for original BMW engine
oils around the world in the after-sales business. And the successful
partnership is not just restricted to the touring car series. The BMW
teams are also equipped with Shell Helix Ultra and Pennzoil Platinum
engine oils when they battle for wins in the FIA World Endurance
Championship (WEC) and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, as
well as at the legendary 24-hour race at the Nürburgring-Nordschleife (GER).

 

“BMW Motorsport and Shell are strong partners and have celebrated
great successes at the track in recent years,” said BMW Motorsport
Director Jens Marquardt. “Which is why I’m happy that our partnership
is entering the next phase. I’m sure that our DTM rookie Sheldon van
der Linde will be good for a surprise or two at the wheel of the Shell
BMW M4 DTM.” At the season-opener on 4thMay, van der Linde
will be 19. His grandfather won numerous titles as a successful
touring car driver in South Africa, and his father celebrated
successes in BMW touring cars at home and in Europe. “It’s great to
have the honour of representing the Shell colours in my rookie year,”
said van der Linde. “Shell is a fantastic partner for BMW M Motorsport
– and I really like the look of my DTM car. I can’t wait until I
finally get to contest my first DTM race for BMW in May.”

 

About Royal Dutch Shell plc:

Royal Dutch Shell plc is based in England and Wales, with its
headquarters in Den Haag, and is listed on the stock exchanges in
London, Amsterdam and New York. Shell companies are active in more
than 70 countries and territories, in the development and promotion of
oil and gas, the manufacture and marketing of LNG (liquified natural
gas) and GTL (gas-to-liquids), the manufacture, marketing and delivery
of oil products and chemicals, as well as in projects in the field of
renewable energy.

 

12h Spa-Francorchamps: JR Motorsport celebrates class win.

The 12-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps (BEL), part of the European
Championship within the 24h Series, saw the BMW teams celebrate a
class win. Ted van Vliet (NED), Michael Verhagen (NED) and Ward Sluys
(BEL) of the JR Motorsport team triumphed in the SPX category. The
next race of the 24h Series European Championship will be the 12 Hours
of Brno (CZE) on the 24thand 25thof May.

 

GT4 France: BMW M4 GT4 narrowly missed out on a podium
finish.
Five BMW M4 GT4s lined up on the grid at the
season opener of the GT4 France at the Circuit Paul Armagnac de Nogaro
(FRA). In the first race on Easter Sunday, Christopher Campbell (FRA)
and Ricardo Van Der Ende (NED) narrowly missed out on a podium finish.
After 35 laps, the duo came home fourth overall in the #17 BMW M4 GT4
of the L’Espace Bienvenue team. Laurent Hurgon and Julien Piguet (both
FRA) of BMW Team France finished in seventh place. In the second race
on Monday, Campbell and Van Der Ende were also best-placed BMW drivers
in Nogaro. They had to be content with the overall
13thposition. The next race weekend of the GT4 France will
take place from 17thto 19thMay at the
“Circuit de Pau-Ville” (FRA).

 

British GT: Fourth place for the BMW M6 GTE in the Pro-Am class.

Brilliant GT action provided the 2019 season opener of the British GT
Championship at Oulton Park (GBR) on the long Easter weekend. The
Century Motorsport team launched two BMW M6 GT3s and two BMW M4 GT4s.
In the first race on one of the most prestigious circuits in Great
Britain, Dominic Paul and Ben Green (both GBR) finished fourth in the
#3 BMW M6 GT3 in the Pro-Am category. Right behind them were teammates
Adrian Willmott and Jack Mitchell (both GBR) in fifth place in the #9
BMW M6 GT3. In the GT4 Silver Cup, Mark Kimber (GBR) and Jacob
Mathiassen (DEN) finished seventh in the #42 BMW M4 GT4 in the first
race on Monday. Angus Fender and Andrew Gordon-Colebrooke (both GBR)
were eighth. The second race proved difficult for the BMW teams. Paul
and Green were the beast-placed BMW drivers in fifth place in the
Pro-Am class ahead of Willmott and Mitchell in seventh position.
Fender/Gordon-Colebrooke finished 13th in the GT4 Silver Cup.
Kimber/Mathiassen had to end the race prematurely. The second race
weekend in the British GT Championship will take place on 18th and
19th May in Snetterton (GBR).