Van der Linde Delivers BMW's First DTM Win at Zandvoort

Overview

• Kelvin van der Linde converted strategic tyre work and timely pit stops into victory for Schubert BMW, giving BMW its first DTM win of the season.
• An overnight Balance of Performance adjustment favouring the BMW M4 GT3 Evo and a fresh tyre set saved from a previous retirement gave van der Linde a clear late-race advantage.
• Thierry Vermeulen briefly led but Emil Frey Racing’s early release of his Ferrari without the front-left wheel cost crucial seconds and allowed van der Linde to retake the lead.
• Ben Dörr scored his and the Dörr team’s first DTM podium in second with Marco Wittmann third, while race interruptions and slow pit stops, including a Safety Car after Jules Gounon’s off, shuffled the order.
• Maro Engel’s late-race recovery to fourth put him back atop the standings on 67 points with Lucas Auer on 61, and the series now moves to the Lausitzring in June.