Sauber F1: Running Van der Garde, a “risk of injury or even death”
A few days before the Australian Grand Prix, uncertainty still looms at Sauber as the judgment in the case against former driver Giedo van der Garde is set to conclude on Wednesday.

The complaint by Giedo van der Garde against Sauber, requesting the enforcement of the contract that placed the Dutch driver in the seat for the 2015 season, was examined this Monday by the Supreme Court of the State of Victoria.
After a judgment in Switzerland ruled in his favor, Van der Garde decided to take legal action against Sauber in the jurisdiction of the season’s first race to force them to let him race. A hearing was held during which the lawyer for the Hinwil team, Rodney Garrett, did not hesitate to use the safety argument to try to convince the judges.
According to him, indeed, the former Caterham driver is not covered by the team’s insurance and appointing Van der Garde would present a risk to the safety of the spectators during the GP. He highlights that the Sauber C34 was built for Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr and that problems could arise with the seating and safety harnesses.
« Sauber cannot allow him to race […] it would be irresponsible and dangerous to act otherwise. It would result in an unacceptable risk of injury or even death, » he stated, as reported by Radio Australia. However, in 2011, at the Canadian Grand Prix, Sergio Pérez, still suffering after his accident in Monaco, had given up his seat to Pedro de la Rosa starting Friday afternoon.
The judgment has been reserved until 10:00 am, local time, on Wednesday.