Van der Garde won't race in Australia

© XPB 

Giedo van der Garde and Sauber have reached a settlement with the Dutch driver opting not to race this weekend in Melbourne.

Van der Garde had been chasing a race seat after successfully claiming that Sauber had to run him as one of its drivers for the 2015 season. With the team not running in FP1 as a result of the ongoing court case, the team's plans have been heavily affected as one of Felipe Nasr or Marcus Ericsson would have had to be replaced.

However, following talks between the two parties overnight, van der Garde says a settlement has been reached which means he has decided to stop pursuing the seat this weekend.

"With respect to the interest of motorsport, and F1 in particular, I have decided to give up my legal rights to race this weekend at the Melbourne Grand Prix," van der Garde said in a statement.

"As I am a passionate race driver this decision has been very difficult for me.

"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."

The move allows Sauber to complete the Australian Grand Prix race weekend with Nasr and Ericsson as its race drivers, while further talks will take place ahead of the Malaysian Grand Prix which is held on March 29.

"The Sauber F1 Team can confirm it has been able to agree with Mr. Giedo Van der Garde that he refrains from driving in the Australian Formula One Grand Prix so it can keep its original planning," Sauber said in a statement.

"The Sauber F1 Team, Mr. Van der Garde and his management will continue to have constructive talks in order to find a mutually acceptable solution. The Sauber F1 Team is here to race in the Australian Formula One Grand Prix and that is what the team is now focusing on. In the course of next week we will be able to give more information."

Click here for Friday's gallery from the Australian Grand Prix

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter