Sauber will not jeopardise safety despite van der Garde ruling

Sauber says it will not risk the safety of any driver despite an Australian court’s decision to uphold Giedo van der Garde’s right to race for the team at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

On Wednesday the Supreme Court of Victoria ruled in favour of van der Garde’s claim that he has a valid contract to race for the Swiss team in 2015.

Sauber argued to the court that running the Dutchman in Australia at such short notice and without preparation would be unsafe – an argument it has repeated in the wake of Judge Croft’s ruling.

“We are disappointed with this decision and now need to take time to understand what it means and the impact it will have on the start of our season,” said  Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn.

“What we cannot do is jeopardise the safety of our team, or any other driver on the track, by having an unprepared driver in a car that has now been tailored to two other assigned drivers.”

This article first appeared on Richland F1 – Image courtesy of Sauber Motorsports AG

Van der Garde opens legal proceedings against Sauber, demands Australian GP drive

Giedo van der Garde has opened legal proceedings against his former Sauber team in order to secure a seat on the grid for next week’s 2015 season opener in Australia.

Van der Garde was expected to race for Sauber full-time in 2015, after serving as the team’s reserve driver last season, but was left without a drive after the Swiss outfit opted to sign Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson late in the year.

According to Australian media reports, the Dutchman has pressed for urgent legal action against the team, and is seeking a hearing at the Supreme Court of Victoria on Monday, calling for a race seat.

“In early November 2014, Mr van de Garde was informed by Sauber’s Chief Executive Officer, Ms Monisha Kaltenborn, that Sauber’s two seats had been given to other drivers and that, as a consequence, Mr van der Garde would not have a place as a driver in the team in 2015,” the court documents claim.

“The Respondent was ordered to refrain from taking any action the effect of which would be to deprive Mr van der Garde of his entitlement to participate in the 2015 Formula One Season as one of Sauber’s two nominated race drivers.”

Van der Garde, who raced for Caterham in 2013, has already taken his case to the Arbitration Institution in Switzerland, which ruled in his favour.

Image courtesy of Sauber Motorsports AG

Sauber reveals the C34

Sauber has become the latest team to reveal its 2015 Formula 1 car, launching the C34 on Friday.

The team’s car features a striking nose design, while it sports a bold new blue and yellow livery, featuring prominent branding from new partner Banco do Brasil.

The Swiss-based squad is hoping to rediscover its form after a miserable 2014 season, in which it scored no points for the first time in its history.

“2014 was a very disappointing year,” said Sauber team principal Monisha Kaltenborn. “However, this is in the past, and we now focus on what comes next. We have learned our lessons and are confident for the new season. We have to improve, and be able to fight for championship points.”

Sauber has an all-new driver line-up for 2015, with former Caterham racer Marcus Ericsson joining Formula 1 rookie Felipe Nasr at the team.

“I am delighted about our two new drivers who bring a breath of fresh air,” Klatenborn added. “Both are young, talented and highly motivated. On their way to Formula 1 both stood out through victories in Formula BMW and Formula 3.

“Both then finished this career progression off in the GP2 series. While Marcus looks back to one season in Formula 1, Felipe will have his rookie year in which he comes fully prepared due to his role as test and reserve driver at Williams last year. I feel confident with regard to our drivers.”

Ericsson will debut an interim version of the C34, which will include some parts from last year’s car, on the opening day of pre-season at Jerez on Sunday.

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Images courtesy of Sauber Motorsport AG