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).
