Abt Sportsline has announced its split with Kelvin van der Linde ahead of his anticipated switch to BMW.
The 2024 DTM championship runner-up will depart the Abt fold after four years in the DTM with eight race wins, having also won his first of two ADAC GT Masters titles with the squad in 2014.
The German outfit will switch to running Lamborghinis in the 2025 DTM after ending its lengthy affiliation with Audi.
As previously reported, van der Linde is expected to join younger brother and 2022 DTM champion Sheldon at BMW next year. However, the South African appears unlikely to return to DTM next year.
Having raced in the World Endurance Championship with Lexus in 2024, van der Linde could be nominated as the replacement for Maxime Martin, the Belgian having switched to Mercedes-AMG after originally being named against one of BMW's LMGT3 entries.
He could also be lined up for a seat in the Pro ranks of the GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup.
"I had always hoped that this day would never come, so it is difficult for me to find the right words," said van der Linde.
"I have a lot to thank Abt Sportsline for. I came to Kempten as a young man and would probably have failed without the warmth and support of the people at Abt.
"I made lifelong friends there and my heart will always beat for Abt. It is not a decision against Abt, but for another manufacturer."
Paying tribute, Abt managing director Thomas Biermaier said it would be “hard for us to let Kelvin go" after twice coming close to the DTM title.
Van der Linde challenged for the crown in 2021 when the series rebooted for GT3 cars, ultimately being defeated by Mercedes driver Maxi Gotz.
"We have supported him from day one," Biermaier said. "When the opportunity arose to field Kelvin in the DTM in 2021, we jumped at the chance.
"We have never regretted it, even though we did not achieve the big goal of winning the DTM title. Kelvin will always be one of us."
Biermaier's sentiments were echoed by Abt motorsport director Martin Tomczyk, whose comments suggest that the team's hands were tied over continuing with 28-year-old van der Linde.
"After 25 years with Audi, 2025 marks the beginning of a new era for ABT Sportsline in the DTM," he said. "It is an important step for us to be able to compete in the DTM again with factory support.
"But the partnership with Lamborghini will also lead to changes. Ideally, our drivers will come from the Lamborghini roster.
"Despite the efforts of Kelvin’s management and intensive discussions with Lamborghini, Kelvin will unfortunately no longer be available to us in 2025, which we all very much regret.
"We have shared unforgettable moments and great successes together. With Kelvin we are losing not only a top driver but also a great personality."
It seems increasingly likely that DTM champion Mirko Bortolotti will join the Abt next season for his title defence.
