Sauber: Van der Garde's return would be dangerous

Giedo van der Garde's complaint against Sauber F1 Team was examined this Monday March 9 by the Court of Victoria in Australia. The Dutchman calls the Hinwil team to account, claiming that he has a starting driver contract for this season after being sidelined in favor of Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr.

Rodney Garrat, the lawyer representing Sauber F1 Team, defended his case by pointing fingers the danger of putting Giedo van der Garde back in an F1 seat starting this weekend at the Australian GP in Melbourne without preparation. This defense strategy is surprising since it does not protect the team in the long term.

“Mr Van der Garde has no experience driving the C34 Ferrari and he would not have enough time to learn”, declared the lawyer to the Court, quoted by The Australian, specifying that Sauber F1 Team did not have a suitable seat and that this represented a dangerous lack of safety.

The Supreme Court of Victoria indicated that it would deliver its verdict this Wednesday at 10 a.m. (midnight in France), two days before the start of the first free practice sessions.