Van der Garde’s future father-in-law eyes F1 team (Update)
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| Giedo van der Garde – sometimes it does pay to marry rich. |
This rumor is downgraded to 'false' today. Giedo van der Garde's father-in-law has denied he is considering buying into a formula one team.
In recent weeks, the Dutch billionaire and businessman Marcel Boekhoorn, who sponsors van der Garde's Caterham race seat via the McGregor brand, was linked with buying stakes in the Williams or Force India teams.
"The rumors are false," van der Garde's management insisted in a Dutch-language media statement.
"A formula one team does not fit the investment profile of Boekhoorn M+A, the investment vehicle of Marcel Boekhoorn," it insisted.
The statement also insisted that even a "minority stake" in a F1 team would "not guarantee a cockpit" for van der Garde, since they "are two different projects".
As for van der Garde's future, his management said 2013 was a "very strong debut" for the Dutch racer, adding that "constructive discussions" are taking place not only with Caterham, but also "a number" of other teams regarding 2014.
"The outcome of these talks is currently completely open," the statement concluded.
10/16/13 (GMM) Caterham driver Giedo van der Garde's future father-in-law is considering buying into the Williams team.
That is the claim of the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, who said Marcel Boekhoorn, a businessman and billionaire, has "serious interest" in taking over Toto Wolff's 15 per cent stake in the Grove based team.
Boekhoorn's long term girlfriend Denise this year accepted van der Garde's marriage proposal.
And van der Garde, who is sponsored by the Boekhoorn-linked Dutch fashion label McGregor, and managed by its chief, could be looking for a new seat for 2014, amid rumors former team driver Heikki Kovalainen is returning to Caterham.
Van der Garde's manager Jan Paul ten Hoopen commented: "Marcel would only consider such a step from a responsible business perspective."
He confirmed that Boekhoorn and Wolff, now a co-owner and director at Mercedes, have "talked to each other".
But when asked if the deal would pave the way to Williams for van der Garde, manager Hoopen insisted: "Basically, buying shares and getting a race seat are distinct."
However, while refusing to rule out taking McGregor back to Williams as a sponsor, he added: "Giedo would like to drive for a renowned team, and I think Williams knows what it is doing."
Williams already has a Dutch shareholder in the form of the investment firm Cyrte, founded by billionaire John de Mol, who own a 5 per cent stake.