Van der Linde to step in for Frijns at ABT CUPRA

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Van der Linde to step in for Frijns at ABT CUPRA

Kelvin van der Linde will make his debut in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship in Diriyah, with the 26-year-old South African set to replace Robin Frijns as the Dutchman begins his recovery from an injury to his hand.

Van der Linde

Frijns suffered fractures to his left hand in a collision on the first lap of the Hankook Mexico City E-Prix and underwent surgery that same evening in Mexico. “Kelvin has been part of the ABT family for years in a variety of roles. He has been involved since the beginning of our comeback project and was intended as Reserve Driver right from the start - so it was immediately clear to us that he would take over from Robin,” says Biermaier.

“We are in constant contact with Robin and wish him a speedy recovery. Even though everyone in the team misses him a lot, we’re giving him all the time he needs to fully recover from the injury – that’s our absolute priority,” says team boss Thomas Biermaier.

“The task and challenge for Kelvin to start in a World Championship without any testing is of course gigantic but he is highly motivated, works hard and the whole team will support him without any pressure.”

Since the decision on Sunday, van der Linde, who also lives in Kempten, has spent every day from morning until late evening at ABT, on data analysis and countless hours in the simulator.

“To compete in Formula E is a dream of mine – but of course I wanted the circumstances of my debut to be different. I’m very sorry for Robin and I hope he’ll be fit again quickly,” says van der Linde. “I am happy about the trust and the challenge. Now I have a few long days ahead of me and then I will do my best to stand in for Robin as well as possible.”

The 26-year-old South African competed for ABT in the DTM in 2021 and 2022 and was a title contender right up to the finale in his debut season. He got a taste of Formula E, at the 2020 rookie test in Marrakesh and is supporting ABT CUPRA in simulator preparation this season.