Van der Linde Apologizes For Causing Monza Pileup

Photo: SRO/JEP

Reigning GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS champion Kelvin van der Linde has apologized for triggering a multi-car pileup in the closing stages of the Endurance Cup round at Monza last weekend.

Van der Linde’s BMW M4 GT3 EVO clattered into the Pure Rxcing Porsche 911 GT3 R of Alexey Nesov when approaching the first corner, with the Porsche launched into a roll after slamming into Ezequiel Perez Companc’s Audi R8 LMS GT3 Evo II, while Marvin Dienst’s Winward Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo was also caught up in the incident.

Van der Linde was issued with a two-minute stop and hold penalty that was converted into a 155-second sanction for his role in the crash, which dropped the WRT BMW from seventh to 30th in the classification.

All of the drivers involved in the crash escaped injury, but two were taken for precautionary checks at the medical center and van der Linde went to apologize to them.

“A big apology to all the drivers involved in the accident,” said the South African. “It was a very unfortunate situation.

“I misjudged the braking into Turn 1 on the safety car restart and tried to avoid contact.

“Unfortunately, there was another car on my left, which meant I made contact with the Porsche and caused it to spin.

“The outcome is very bad and something no one wants to see. I am truly sorry, and I am relieved that both drivers were OK when I saw them at the medical center.”

This was one of two major collisions during a hectic race that finished under caution and had a surprise winner in the form of the Tresor Attempto Racing Audi of Ariel Levi, Sebastian Ogaard and Rocco Mazzola.

Source: Sports Car 365