Local motorsport champion Sheldon van der Linde is set to showcase his talent once again, this time driving for Jaguar TCS Racing in the upcoming Formula E Rookie Test this week.
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Speculation about Sheldon’s potential involvement had been circulating since February, and now it’s confirmed that he’ll be taking to the track for Jaguar. This isn’t Sheldon’s first rodeo with the team; he has previously tested with Jaguar during the rookie test in Berlin, participated in a free practice session in Rome, and also joined the Season 10 pre-season rookie test.
Related: A South African’s Guide to Season 10 of Formula E
His latest outing will see him behind the wheel of the Jaguar I-TYPE 6 during a Free Practice session on Friday 12 April at Misano, Italy, for rounds six and seven of Season 10 of the FIA Formula E World Championship. Expressing his excitement for the opportunity, Sheldon 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.”
James Barclay, team principal of Jaguar TCS Racing, welcomed Sheldon back to the fold, emphasizing his track record and skills. He stated, “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.”
This extra practice session provides teams with the opportunity to introduce new drivers to Formula E machinery. Notably, the session is exclusive to drivers who haven’t previously participated in a Formula E race weekend. Sheldon, brother of ABT Cupra Formula E reserve driver Kelvin van der Linde, has showcased his capabilities with Jaguar before. In 2023, he impressed during the Rome Free Practice 0 session and the Berlin Rookie Test, topping the timing charts and finishing second respectively.
