Kelvin van der Linde to replace injured Robin Frijns in Saudi Arabia

South African Kelvin van der Linde will replace Robin Frijns after the Dutch driver was injured in the Formula E opener.

Kelvin van der Linde in the ABT CUPRA simulator. (ABT CUPRA)

The 26-year-old will step in for the Formula E double-header in Diriyah for ABT CUPRA will Frijns recovers.

“We are in constant contact with Robin and wish him a speedy recovery," says ABT CUPRA team boss Thomas Biermaier.

"Even though everyone in the team misses him a lot, we’re giving him all the time he needs to fully recover from the injury – that’s our absolute priority."

Frijns revealed after the race that he had suffered a fractured hand and fractured wrist in the first-lap shunt.

He underwent a five-hour operation in Mexico City and has since been discharged.

Van der Linde competed for ABT in the DTM in 2021 and 2022, as well as acting as Formula E reserve and simulator driver for ABT CUPRA this year.

"To compete in Formula E is a dream of mine – but of course I wanted the circumstances of my debut to be different."

"I’m very sorry for Robin and I hope he’ll be fit again quickly,” said van der Linde.

“Kelvin has been part of the ABT family for years in a variety of roles," said Biermaier.

"He has been involved since the beginning of our comeback project and was intended as a reserve driver right from the start, so it was immediately clear to us that he would take over Robin’s cockpit."

“The task and challenge for him to start in a World Championship race without any testing is of course gigantic."

"But Kelvin is highly motivated, works hard and the whole team will support him without any pressure.”

A team spokesperson said van der Linde has completed extensive race preparation with ABT since Frijn's injury.

"[He] has spent every day from morning until late evening at ABT."

"On the agenda: regulations, race car manual, data analysis and countless hours in the simulator."

Rounds two and three of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship take place 27-28 January in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia.