Van der Garde to buy second Sauber seat in 2015 (3rd Update)
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| Giedo van der Garde – his check wasn't big enough |
This rumor is downgraded to false with today's news that Brazilian Felipe Nasr will pair with Marcus Ericsson at Sauber in 2015. Announcement on AR1 Hot News page.
11/05/14 Sauber reserve Giedo van der Garde says he is not concerned about his future following the announcement last weekend that Marcus Ericsson will race for the team in Formula 1 next year.
The Dutchman, who made his debut in F1 last year with Caterham, took up a test role this season and insists Ericsson's appointment has changed "nothing" for him.
"It does not matter that much to me," he told Dutch broadcaster, Sport1. "We are getting on well at Sauber. They know who I am and what I can do. I think it looks quite good for me.
"I cannot say much more, but I sleep well. My management are busy and keep me informed. For me nothing has change."
Van der Garde also revealed that he expects to have some news soon and if he does get the seat then that will mean the team will cast aside both of its current race drivers, Adrian Sutil and Esteban Gutiérrez.
"Will we wait until January or February? No way. It is important we know within the next two or three weeks," he added.
"I am sure we will have clarity soon."
11/02/14 (GMM) Sauber looks set to field an all-new driver lineup next year, after confirming Caterham refugee Marcus Ericsson is joining the Swiss team in 2015.
Supposedly caught up in the boycott threat ahead of Sunday's US grand prix, Sauber has already admitted that either Adrian Sutil or Esteban Gutierrez will definitely be leaving at the end of the year.
It is rumored Swede Ericsson, in Austin this weekend despite the absence of his current team Caterham, was announced by Sauber for 2015 only after his sponsors made a pre-payment.
Reports have estimated his personal backing at as much as $20 million.
"It is unfortunately the case that we must see the drivers as a source of income," team boss Monisha Kaltenborn is quoted by Germany's Sport Bild. "A lot of the teams are in the same position."
It is rumored both German Sutil and Mexican Gutierrez, despite the latter's close links to billionaire Carlos Slim, will be ousted following next month's Abu Dhabi finale.
That is despite Sutil having a signed 2015 contract.
"That should not be a problem for Sauber," predicted former F1 driver and pundit for German television Sky, Marc Surer. "Sauber can easily pay him off."
Sutil's manager Manfred Zimmermann, however, insisted: "For us, nothing has changed."
But respected media sources including the specialist Auto Motor und Sport and Switzerland's Blick claim Dutchman Giedo van der Garde, who like Ericsson is heavily sponsored, will be the second Sauber race driver next season.
"There is a lot of speculation," Sutil said, referring to rumors Sauber will have no option but to run pay-drivers in 2015.
"Of course the situation in the team is not easy, but I hope they will be in a better way soon."
10/20/14
(GMM) Just as news about Nico Hulkenberg emerged on Monday, Giedo van der Garde dropped a big hint about his own future in formula one.
"I am convinced he is one of the best talents on the grid," said team supremo Vijay Mallya.
But not long after the announcement, it was the reserve driver at another team that was making noises about his own prospects for next season.
29-year-old Dutchman van der Garde, who signed up as Sauber's reserve this year after losing his Caterham race seat, issued a 'tweet' along with a photograph of himself walking alongside Hulkenberg in a F1 paddock earlier this year.
"Congrats buddy," he said, referring to Hulkenberg. "Hopefully we can have some nice fights next year, like the old days."
Van der Garde completed the 'tweet' with a winking smiley.