Sauber has launched an immediate appeal against a court decision which says Giedo van der Garde has to race for the team this season.
Van der Garde claimed Sauber had reneged on a deal which would see him racing for the team in 2015, calling for an urgent hearing at the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne on Monday. A decision was made on Wednesday, with Justice Clyde Croft telling the court: "The application is successful and will be enforced."
The court's decision calls for Sauber to put van der Garde in one of the cars for the 2015 season, meaning it would have to drop one of its current race drivers - Marcus Ericsson or Felipe Nasr - despite both bringing substantial sponsorship to the team.
However, Sauber has immediately appealed the decision. With the Australian Grand Prix beginning with FP1 on Friday at 12:30 local time, the appeal will be heard on Wednesday afternoon.
Court of Appeal will hear Sauber's against court decision in Giedo van der Garde today 3:15 Court 15 @F1 @SauberF1Team @ausgrandprix
— Supreme Court of Vic (@SCVSupremeCourt) March 11, 2015
Following the first part of the appeal, the hearing will continue at 09:30am local time on Thursday morning, with Sauber needing to name its drivers for the weekend later the same afternoon.
Sauber claims it would be unsafe to put van der Garde in the 2015 car, with the Dutchman having yet to drive it.
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