Giedo van der Garde, although tipped by some to be axed from Formula 1 after a single season, could keep his career on the grid in 2014.
The Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf said that the 28-year-old Caterham driver’s managers Jan Paul ten Hoopen and Jeroen Schothorst are working hard on the Dutchman’s alternatives for next year.
The report, naming Sauber, Williams and Force India as among van der Garde’s options, said ten Hoopen will be at Monza next weekend for “talking and listening”.
The driver has had an often-difficult rookie campaign, but De Telegraaf said that van der Garde remains strongly backed by McGregor, a Dutch fashion label.
Van der Garde, however, is quiet for now, “It makes no sense for me to already be thinking about next season. There are still eight races to go.”
Meanwhile, De Telegraaf said that the chances of another Dutch driver, Robin Frijns, are not as bright.
The report said that Swiss team Sauber decided not to take up the option on the unsponsored 22-year-old’s current contract. In 2013, Frijns has been the reserve driver.
He commented: “I have no idea. I have heard nothing, I know nothing.”
Former Toro Rosso driver and current Pirelli tester Jaime Alguersuari, on the other hand, has called time on his Formula 1 career for now.
Recent reports linked the young Spaniard with a move for 2014 to the premier US open-wheeler series Indycar.
“I’m having a great time working for Pirelli,” he told his 160 000 followers on Twitter, “but I don’t think you guys will see me back in Formula 1 at least for the early future.” (GMM)
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