Van der Garde accepts F1 fate, targets WEC and DTM drives
Giedo van der Garde says he's looking at a future in the World Endurance Championship or DTM after accepting that he has little chance of ever getting back to F1.
Photo by: XPB Images
Van der Garde had a contract to drive for Sauber in F1 this year, and took the Swiss team to court at the season opening Australian Grand Prix when it shunned him, resulting in a multi-million dollar out-of-court settlement.
The Dutchman was at the Spa 6 Hours on Saturday – where he chatted with old pal Nico Hulkenberg of Force India and Porsche – before heading to Hockenheim for today's DTM event.
“You never ever know what's happening in F1, but at the moment my targets are DTM or WEC for next year,” he told Motorsport.com. “For this year it's already tough to jump in somewhere, because we were very late with everything. So I'm looking around a bit.”
Not yet giving up on F1 dream
Regarding F1 he said: “Of course you never give up, you always keep a little bit of hope, but after what happened, you are a little bit fed up with everything, in the beginning especially.
“But the more you think about it, the more it gives you a bit of a relief. Of course it's always what you wanted, and there's still a little bit in me that says 'maybe'. We'll see.”
Van der Garde said he'd had a generally positive reaction to the outcome of his action against Sauber and the statement he made after it.
“I got very positive feedback, from teams, team bosses and drivers even. So I'm quite happy with that. Now it's a bit more calm and relaxed and I'm looking to get a nice drive for next year.”
Van der Garde's only scheduled race thus far in 2015 is at the Goodwood Revival in September.
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