The manager of Giedo van der Garde confirms contacts with Manor
The clan of Giedo van der Garde was contacted by Manor for a return to F1. However, the Dutch driver would focus on the 2016 season in endurance racing.
Giedo van der Garde would represent an option to replace the Spanish driver, Roberto Mehri, who would only participate in the first Grand Prix of the season.
Manager Jan Paul ten Hoopen clarified to the GP Update site that Van der Garde is prioritizing the endurance championship or securing a seat in DTM for the 2016 season: “We are aware that Manor is looking for an experienced driver. They have contacted us, but it is not what we want. We are fully focused on the 2016 season. We are looking at opportunities in DTM and LMP1 and we will actually be visiting the DTM next week.”
As a reminder, Van der Garde drove a Caterham in 2013, the following season he became a reserve driver for Sauber, before embarking on a legal battle that resulted in financial compensation for the Dutch driver when the Swiss team chose to hire Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr.
