Categories: F1 News, Reports and Race ResultsLe Mans

Giedo van der Garde heading to Le Mans

Former Caterham and Sauber F1 driver Giedo van der Garde will make his Le Mans debut in June, driving for the JOTA Sport LMP2 team.

The Dutchman, who raced for Caterham in 2013 and was reserve drover for Sauber in 2014, was embroiled at the start of the 2015 in a contractual conflict with the Swiss outfit.

The team's entry at the Australian Grand Prix was called into question following legal proceedings brought about by van der Garde who claimed he had the right to a racing seat with the Hinwill-based outfit. Eventually, a settlement between the two parties was negotiated.

Giedo van der Garde's career was temporarily put on the rocks at a result of his departure from Formula 1, but he will resume driving duties this season, racing a JOTA Sport-prepared Gibson 015S-Nissan in the European Le Mans Series.

"In F1 I was competing at the highest level of motorsport, but with Caterham there wasn't a real possibility to win races," said van der Garde.

"Now with JOTA there is, and again on a high level of racing. That's what I'm aiming for: winning. To win the 24 hours of Le Mans isn't even a dream; it's my goal.

"Therefore I am very pleased to sign with such an established and proven team as JOTA Sport. This is a new chapter for me going in to endurance racing and I am sure it will be an enjoyable one.

"I have always enjoyed the teamwork side of racing, particularly from an engineering perspective, so I think this will be an asset to start with."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.