Sheldon van der Linde gets Formula E shot in rookie test

South African racing driver Sheldon van der Linde will get the chance to further build on his stellar career after being selected by Jaguar TCS Racing to partake in its official Formula E rookie test.

Van der Linde joins 22 other hopefuls for two three-hour sessions on Monday 24 April at the challenging Tempelhof Airport Circuit in Berlin. All 11 Formula E teams will participant in the test meant exclusively for drivers with no previous experience driving a Formula E car on-track and who hold a minimum International Grade B licence.

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Proud feeling

“I’m very proud to be joining Jaguar TCS Racing for my first rookie test in the Jaguar I-TYPE 6,” Van der Linde was quoted in a press release.

“The rookie test is a really great opportunity for young and upcoming drivers to try new motorsport categories and I’m really looking forward to driving the Gen3 race car for the first time.”

He also announced the news of his Formula E test on his Twitter account, saying he is “super hyped”.

Sheldon’s older brother Kelvin van der Linde raced in three Formula E races this season as a replacement driver for the ABT Cupra team.

The 23-year-old Sheldon raced in DTM as BMW factory driver for the last four years and was crowned champion in 2022.

He started karting at the age of six, gaining a wealth of experience and won multiple national titles before moving into cars in 2014. Since then, he has continued his impressive career and seen success in the ADAC Total 24 hours of Nürburgring.

Formula E exposure

He will partake in the rookie test in Jaguar’s Formula A racing car, the I-TYPE 6, alongside New Zealander Simon Evans, who is the Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY Champion.

“From what I’ve heard, Formula E is particularly challenging if you’re a rookie, so it will be great to get some valuable experience in the all-electric racing series,” Van der Linde added.

James Barclay, team principal at Jaguar TCS Racing Team was excited to have Van der Linde taking part in the rookie test.

“Sheldon’s résumé is without question and we are very pleased to have this very talented young driver in one of our cars and see how he approaches his time with us and his feedback,” said Barclay.

Formula E is a single-seater motorsport championship for fully electric cars that started in 2014 and since 2020 has held FIA world championship status.