Driver withdraws court action against Sauber
Formula One driver Giedo van der Garde has withdrawn his contempt of court action against the Sauber Motorsports team after negotiations between the two parties overnight.
In a statement, the Dutchman said he had “decided to give up my legal rights to race this weekend”.
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Van der garde had claimed he was guaranteed a spot for the 2015 season by Sauber, but was then dumped in favour of Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr.
He launched legal action over the issue and on Wednesday the Victorian Supreme Court ruled van der Garde should be able to race in this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, upholding a Swiss arbitration tribunal’s decision.
Sauber appealed the decision and lost, but indicated it would still not allow him to compete.
Today, van der Garde’s lawyers withdrew action against the Swiss team, telling the judge the matter had been settled.
In a post on Facebook, van der Garde said talks about his future at the team would continue next week.
“As I am a passionate race driver this decision has been very difficult for me,” he said.
“However I also wish to respect the interest of the FIA, Sauber Motorsport, as well as Nasr and Ericsson.
“My management will continue talks with Sauber early next week to find a mutually acceptable solution for the current situation that has now arisen.
“I am confident such solution will be found and I will inform the media once done.”
Sauber did not take part in the first practice session at Albert Park on Friday, but Nasr and Ericsson drove in the second.