SA teenager triumphs in Germany

The Johannesburg youngster did it in style by scoring his fifth victory of the series. On the way to the title van der Linde (17) notched up several milestones.

He won the series in his rookie year after earning the drive by winning the SA Volkswagen Cup in 2012. He is the youngest national champion in South African motorsport history, the youngest winner of the German championship and was the only driver to win more than one race.

Van der Linde’s uncle Etienne won the German and European Formula Opel championships in 1998 and both father Shaun and grandfather, Hennie, won multiple SA circuit racing championships.

With a 43 point advantage over nearest rival Kasper Jensen, of Denmark, and a 40 point lead over fellow South African Jordan Pepper – the only other drivers who could have won the championship this weekend – van der Linde had only to finish 12th to secure the title.

Jensen was second after starting fourth and Matthias Bauerle of Germany, who started from pole position, was third.

Pepper finished ninth after making up three places from his start position of 12th on the grid , and finished third in the championship.