Van der Garde secures Caterham seat

01/02/2013
NEWS STORY

Another piece of the 2013 jigsaw fell into place today when Caterham confirmed that Giedo van der Garde will partner Charles Pic.

Van der Garde's appointment to the F1 team is the natural step for the Dutch driver after he spent 2012 competing with Caterham Racing in the GP2 Series in which he scored six podiums and two race wins, along with six FP1 outings for the F1 team.

"Everyone in the team is delighted that we can finally confirm that Giedo will be racing for us in 2013," said Team Principal, Cyril Abiteboul. "He has been part of our family since early 2012 when he joined our GP2 team and was appointed as Reserve Driver for the F1 team. He acquitted himself extremely well in both his GP2 season and his six FP1 sessions, progressively improving his outright pace, technical feedback and his relationship with his engineers and mechanics, giving us the clear justification for promoting him to F1.

"This is the next natural step for Giedo with our team," he continued. "We continue to grow as a team and we are committed to giving young talent across the motorsport industry the chance to grow with us and this is Giedo's opportunity to show he deserves his place at the very highest level of global motorsport. He and Charles have been team-mates before so he is an excellent choice to partner Charles in what is going to be another very interesting season, and we are all looking forward to seeing Giedo continue to progress as he takes on the ultimate challenge of F1."

"I am absolutely delighted to confirm that I will be racing with Caterham," said the Dutch youngster. "I want to thank Cyril, Tony Fernandes, McGregor and everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen.

"I know I am ready to take the step up to F1 and all the work I have done throughout my career, and particularly in the last year with this team, has brought me to my ultimate goal. Throughout 2012 I was able to fully integrate myself into the team, both through the FP1 sessions I ran at a number of tracks that were then new to me, and as Reserve Driver, fully embedded with the team throughout the season.

"Now I can continue to learn at the highest level of motorsport and show that I am ready for F1. I cannot wait to start work."

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Published: 01/02/2013
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