Formula E Rookie Lineup includes SA’s Sheldon Vd Linde for Jaguar TCS Racing
South African racing driver Sheldon van der Linde will drive for Jaguar TCS Racing in the upcoming Formula E Rookie Test this week. Van der Linde will test for the iconic British outfit in Free Practice 0 on Friday 12 April 2024 in Misano, Italy, for rounds six and seven of Season 10 of the FIA Formula E World Championship.
South Africa’s Sheldon van der Linde drives for Jag in Formula E rookie test
Speaking on his involvement in the upcoming test, Van der Linde stated: “Getting behind the wheel of the Jaguar I-TYPE 6 is always an exciting opportunity for me. This will be my third rookie test for the team, at a track I know well from past experience so that will be crucial to gain some insights for the team during FP0. My target is to help Nick [Cassidy] and Mitch [Evans] hit the ground running for their championship campaign.”
South African James Barclay, team principal of Jaguar TCS Racing welcomed the opportunity for his compatriot to test for the team again.
Barclay says, “We are excited to welcome Sheldon van der Linde back for the rookie test session for Jaguar TCS Racing in Friday’s FP0 session. Sheldon is a fantastic racing driver with a proven track record already in his young career. His laps around the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli will also provide the team with a solid platform to work from heading into the rest of the weekend.”
The extra free practice session will take place in addition to the normal free practice session at a race weekend and offers teams a chance to give new drivers time in Formula E machinery. The session is not open to drivers who have competed in a Formula E race weekend before.
More time in electric racing
Sheldon, who is the brother of ABT Cupra Formula E reserve driver Kelvin van der Linde has tested for Jaguar in Formula E before. The Johannesburg-born driver was behind the wheel in the Jaguar I-PACE 6 in 2023 for both the Rome Free Practice 0 session and the Berlin Rookie Test. He was on the pace on both occasions, topping the timing charts in the morning session of the Berlin Test and finishing second in Rome.
*You can watch all the Formula E action in South Africa on SuperSport Motorsport, DStv channel 215 or on ETV, DStv channel 194.
