Van der Garde believes there is room for improvement

Giedo van der Garde believes that Caterham still has room for improvement despite surpassing Marussia in the last couple of races to move off the back of the grid.

The battle at the back has been intense of late, with Marussia’s charge being led by Jules Bianchi and the Anglo-Russian team appeared to have the upper hand following the opening three races of the season. However, a rejuvenated Caterham has enjoyed a healthy lead over Marussia in the past two races, but van der Garde believes that there is still scope for improvement.

“There is still some scope, absolutely, so we have to see what we have to do and how we can fix it because at the moment it is not there completely,” van der Garde explained to ESPNF1.

“I think to be honest we will make another step during the season and hopefully it will be as good as this one.”

The upgrades brought to the last two races have been highly effective, with Charles Pic challenging Williams’ Valtteri Bottas last time out in Spain and he finished ahead of Esteban Gutierrez at the Bahrain Grand Prix. van der Garde is sure that the team can squeeze even more pace out of the CT-03, which appears to have finally come good.

“But still I think we have to optimise this and then we will have more potential and we will be faster, but the team is pushing hard so that is why I’m very happy with it.”

Like Caterham, Marussia will be pushing to finish P10 in the constructors’ championship, which this season has extra importance after Bernie Ecclestone revealed earlier this year that the team finishing 11th would not receive any prize money.

ESPN

Video: Interview Giedo - Malaysia

Interview Giedo



Totum Sport / YouTube

Tough debut for Van der Garde

Giedo van der Garde was lucky to reach the end of his debut Grand Prix after suffering damage during the early part of the race.

It was a learning experience for the Dutchman, who admitted he was almost caught out at the start. "Normally you wait, look in the mirror, see the last ones are coming, then select first gear and there you go," he laughed. "Here it was like neutral, oh shit the lights (have gone) on!"

 

The Caterham driver was then tagged by fellow rookie Max Chilton, thereby damaging both cars. Chilton was forced to pit for a new front wing, though he escaped comparatively lightly in contrast to Van der Garde.

"It broke my rear diffuser quite badly," he explained. "The piece dropped off completely on lap 20."

With the diffuser effectively gone, tyre wear went through the roof, allowing a recovering Chilton to catch and finally pass the Caterham with ten laps to go. However, even without the damage it's possible Chilton would have caught the Dutchman, Marussia seemingly enjoying an early season advantage over its rivals.

Van der Garde however is taking positives away from his debut, while looking forward to the Spanish Grand Prix when an update package is expected.

"We're looking forward to that," he said. "We still have two races (after Malaysia) like this, which won't be easy for us. But for me it's good to learn as much as possible and from Barcelona look to make a good step."

"The team is quite confident about what is coming," he added. "I've heard good stories about it."

 

Pitpass.com

FIA Thursday press conference - Malaysia - Giedo's questions

Drivers - Esteban Gutierrez (Sauber), Valtteri Bottas (Williams), Giedo Van Der Garde (Caterham), Jules Bianchi (Marussia), Kimi Raikkonen (Lotus), Max Chilton (Marussia).

Giedo's questions and answers:

Q: Giedo, you out-qualified your team-mate and got an 18th-place finish in Melbourne. What did you take from your first experience of Formula One?

Giedo Van Der Garde: It was a tough race. Max hit me in the first stint, so the floor got damaged quite badly. Anyway, we managed to finish the race and it was a good experience for me. I learned a lot with the tyres. Now this is the next step and we’ll see what we can do here.

Q: Looks like you’re starting out the year chasing Marussia. Do you see reasons in the pipeline to be positive?

GVDG: I think with here you never know what the weather is going to be. I think we looked quite strong, I have to say, so I hope for a bit of rain here. And then the next two [races] we know we still have the same car and in Barcelona we’ll get a big upgrade, so let’s see where we are then.

Read the whole press conference here.

Formula1.com

Giedo's Malaysia preview

Giedo van der Garde: "After Sunday I went straight to Malaysia as it's important to start adjusting to the heat. I raced in GP2 there last year but F1 is a big step up in terms of the physical and mental preparations you need to make so my trainer Carlos and I have a busy program planned to make sure I'm ready for every session in the car. Hydration is particularly important in that preparation and I'll be building up the amount of liquids I take on board throughout the week to around six litres on race day, as well as spending as much time as possible outside and away from air-con so I can acclimatise quickly.

"On track, Sepang gives us an interesting challenge. We haven't seen track temperatures in pre-season or in Australia close to what we'll have this week and as the circuit evolves quite a bit over the weekend managing degradation levels from Friday through to Sunday will be critical, but we saw in Australia that our car performed well on the primes so we'll look to build on that this weekend.

"The cars run pretty high downforce levels at Sepang and that helps throughout the lap, but one of the key areas we'll work on in the practice sessions will be maximising our pace in the really quick corners. Something the engineers have told me is that since the team came into the sport in 2010 their cars have always performed better in hot temperatures, Tony has said before it's because the team has a Malaysian heart, so let's see if that continues this year!

"We also have a really busy week away from the circuit in Sepang and I have to say I can't wait. Last year we had a fantastic reception from the Malaysian fans and I think this year it's going to be a great feeling to race in Tony and Kamarudin's home. I have a special surprise planned just for this race, a new crash helmet design that we've worked on that I think the Malaysian fans will love. We'll unveil the design during the week and I'm excited to see people's reaction to it - our crash helmet designs are one of the best ways drivers have to express something cool and it's a chance for me to show what it means to me to take part in our home race. I can't wait to get started - it's going to be a great week!"

Caterham

F1 2013 - Boobs or bums? Quickfire quiz with F1 driver Giedo van der Garde

Pole Position's Rosanna Tennant grills F1 Caterham driver Giedo van der Garde in 60 seconds. She asks him whether he prefers boobs or bums, blondes or brunettes, fast or slow and Angry Birds or Call of Duty.

Pole Position / YouTube

Video interview (dutch) Giedo van der Garde - Autovisie

Autovisie had an interview with Giedo before he travelled to Australia



Autovisie

Teambaas tevreden over Van der Garde

- English translation below the article -

De opdracht liet aan duidelijkheid niets te wensen over. Giedo van der Garde diende zijn Caterham CT03 tijdens de eerste grand prix van het seizoen veilig over de finishlijn van het circuit van Albert Park brengen. De 27-jarige slaagde in die opzet en ondanks het feit dat hij dat als langzaamste coureur deed, was teambaas Cyril Abiteboul naar eigen zeggen een tevreden man. ‘De missie is volbracht.’ 

‘Het belangrijkste was dat we tijdens deze grand prix voldoende informatie kregen waarmee we later in het seizoen ons voordeel kunnen doen”, aldus de Fransman. „Er is een uitstekende interactie met zijn engineer Juan Ramirez, dus ook op dat gebied geldt hij als een welkome aanvulling voor ons team.’ 

Slechts tussen de regels door liet Abiteboul weten dat het optreden van Van der Garde ook enige schoonheidsfoutjes kende. ‘Giedo moet aan een paar punten werken. Gelukkig weet hij zelf welke dat zijn.’ 

Telegraaf

Van der Garde tevreden ondanks laatste plaats: 'Wat een geweldige ervaring'

- English translation below the article -

Giedo van der Garde eindigde zijn eerste race als formule 1-coureur weliswaar op de 18e en laatste plaats, maar de Nederlander was tevreden. 'Een behoorlijke start van mijn carrière in de Formule 1', zei de 27-jarige coureur van Caterham na de Grand Prix van Australië in Melbourne. 'Het was heel belangrijk om mijn eerste race te finishen en dat heb ik gedaan. Ik ben tevreden over deze afloop, het was een geweldige ervaring.' 

© epa

Van der Garde begon vanaf de 20e startpositie en rukte in de beginfase op naar de 15e plaats. Die positie kon hij niet vasthouden, mede omdat een leeglopende band hem tot een niet geplande pitstop dwong. Hij moest tijdens de race over 58 ronden op Albert Park drie keer door de pitlane. Hij duelleerde in het tweede deel van de race met de Engelsman Max Chilton van Marussia en moest uiteindelijk genoegen nemen met de laatste positie, op twee ronden achterstand van winnaar Kimi Räikkönen.

'Ik zei voor het seizoen al dat ik de eerste races vooral moet benutten om te leren en vandaag heb ik dat zeker gedaan. Ik voel me fysiek prima en we hebben nu veel informatie verzameld over hoe de banden zich gedragen. Dat nemen we mee naar de volgende race in Maleisië, onze thuisrace', aldus Van der Garde. De fabriek van Caterham staat weliswaar in het Engelse Leafield, maar het team is eigendom van de Maleisische tycoon Tony Fernandes.

AD

Interview Giedo: It does have an impact on your private life

Original Dutch article below

Amsterdam 

Giedo van der Garde recently moved to a beautiful home in Amsterdam but he won’t be spending much time there in the next couple of months. The Dutchman is travelling all over the world as a Formula 1 driver to live a hectic life in the top of motorsport. 

‘It does have an impact on your private life. I won’t be in Amsterdam much this year, a few weeks tops. But it’s how it is and my girlfriend does understand. She has known me for 10 years and she knows like no other that this is my chance and that I have to go for it. My dream is coming true’, says the 27 year old driver who’s having his race debut for Caterham F1 in the Australian Grand Prix. 

When I was 12 years old, and used to kart every day, I told my parents that I was going to be a Formula 1 driver one day. And now it’s actually happening. I have always believed in it and I have never stopped working hard for it. I am definitely gonna enjoy everything. This is what I’ve done it for. 

Caterham 

Van der Garde doesn’t have unrealistic high expectations about his debut, because Caterham belongs to what you would call the back teams. ‘The team doesn’t lay pressure on me. We are realistic about what we can achieve this year. The greatest achievement would be if we’d manage to have 1 point. That would feel like a victory to us. It’s a lot to ask for and we would be needing a crazy race to make this happen. But you never know, imagine ten cars would crash at the start, it could well be you end up with the best ten.’ 

Van der Garde used to be test driver for Caterham last year. ‘I know everybody in the team well and I do know my way in the factory in Leafield, England. I already know my team mate Charles Pic. He used to drive for Marussia last year, so he’s already got one year experience in Formula 1. This could be an advantage to me, because I have to use the first few races to learn. Charles is a nice guy and we do have a good working relationship, but no way is he getting another treatment than me, we are both treated the same. 

A beer 

Basically Giedo gets on well with all drivers. ‘I know Sergio Perez, Nico Hülkenberg and Sebastian Vettel well. It’s good to have a beer with them, but over the race weekend there isn’t a lot of contact. You are focused on yourself then. I am looking forward to the first race in Melbourne a lot, but it’s especially Spa that I’m looking forward to. This is where you’ll see the most Dutch fans and I think that will be a great experience. Apart from that it’s one of the prettiest circuits in the world’.

De Telegraaf / Translated: GiedoVanDerGarde.Net

Video interview: Van der Garde: 'Er is veel over mij heen gekomen' (Dutch)

Er is een hoop over Giede van der Garde heen gekomen. Begin februari werd bekend dat de Nederlander Giedo van der Garde Formule-1 gaat rijden. Sindsdien heeft de autocoureur een drukke tijd achter de rug.

Zie.nl

Rookie diary - Caterham’s Giedo van der Garde

Giedo van der Garde is one of five drivers who will make their Formula One race debut at the 2013 Formula 1 Rolex Australian Grand Prix on March 17. As part of a new series charting the personal as well as professional progress of this year’s F1 newcomers, the 27-year-old Dutchman describes how he celebrated securing his seat at Caterham and why he can’t wait for the season to begin…

“My life, since being announced as a Caterham race driver, has been really good. Obviously it has been very busy - the announcement was made very close to the first pre-season test so everything has sort of been squeezed into the last couple of weeks. But I wouldn’t change it, it has been great!

“The main thing for me is that my dream is coming true. I told my Dad when I was very young that I was going to be an F1 driver and now it’s happening. I never stopped working for it, never stopped believing it would happen, and with the help and support of a lot of very good people, I’m where I want to be.

“The first thing I did when I found out I had the drive was to have a small sip of champagne with my girlfriend. My trainer, Carlos, has had me on a pretty tough programme over the winter, but you only get to celebrate news like that very rarely in life so I wanted to share it with my girlfriend. It was only a small sip though…

“Do I feel under pressure? No. Not from the team as we’re realistic about what we can do this year. The pressure that does exist is from myself and my trainer. We are preparing as well as possible for the year ahead, but that’s good pressure, the sort that motivates you and pushes you to perform. But pressure on track? No. I know what to do - the team have helped me prepare as well as possible and I’m ready for what’s ahead.



“I’ve spent as much time as possible at the factory, bearing in mind when the announcement was made. Having driven for Caterham in GP2 last year I’ve already spent a lot of time with the team, so I know the guys and know my way around the factory at Leafield.

“Sure, it’s not ideal to have been announced as late as I was, but, as I said, I was with the team in 2012, both in F1 and GP2, so nothing’s really new to me. That has made it easy just to go to work.

“I also already knew my team mate - Charles Pic - very well. We were team mates with Addax in GP2 in 2011 and he already has a year of F1 on his CV, so I can - and I am - definitely learning from him. Our relationship is great.

“Pre-season testing was pretty good. The weather could have been better, but we needed some time to try out the wet tyres and set-ups, and we’re on target for what we wanted to achieve in the tests, so all good. 

"Now, I’m just looking forward to Melbourne. It’ll be my first Grand Prix and I can’t wait to get going. After that, I’m looking forward to the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa. That’s where most Dutch fans will be - it’s one of the greatest circuits on the planet and it’s near home.

“This season, the most satisfaction would come from scoring Caterham’s first point in Formula One, but we know that’s a big ask and needs a crazy race to help us. So for me, it’s about learning in the first half of the season, then using what I’ve taken in to progress, fight where I can, and do the best job possible.”

Interview Giedo van der Garde

Motorsport journalist George East chats to Caterham's Giedo van der Garde for Crash.netahead of this week's third and final 2013 F1 pre-season test at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya in Spain... 

Crash.net: 

Giedo, how much of a benefit is it for you to make your debut season with Caterham, given you were their reserve driver last year? 

Giedo van der Garde: 

I think it's a good step, I'm very happy here. Last year I think I showed my potential, I worked hard and I'm sure they took me because of my input last year and the way I progressed. Of course it's a good thing to make my debut with Caterham. 

Crash.net: 

After the Jerez test, you said the front end of the car wasn't bad; in addition to this, what are your other impressions of the car that you can take from there and Barcelona? 

Giedo van der Garde: 

Well, the Barcelona test wasn't too bad but the second day it was raining, so that wasn't ideal because we needed to fix an issue in the dry. I have to say that the front end seems very strong and the rear end was again a bit weak in Barcelona, so I guess we still need to do some work to make it a bit better. The team has some solutions now so let's see at this test if they've managed that, but of course we need some dry weather. 

Crash.net: 

What is the plan for the final test in Barcelona? 

Giedo van der Garde: 

Well, first of all it needs to be dry! Then we're going to try some things with the car, so let's see if we can solve whether there's a big issue but I'm sure and confident that we will. 

Crash.net: 

Cyril [Abiteboul] recently said that the team 'needs to do better than tenth' in the Constructors' Championship but it will be difficult. Since his appointment, has the atmosphere changed within the team, given there have been some quite ambitious targets in the past...? 

Giedo van der Garde: 

Well, don't forget that the team is still young and I think with Cyril on board now, he's a good, young fresh guy and he will put all the right people in the right places and we will make good progress this year. It won't be an easy year, but we're going to try and do our best, that's for sure. Next year because of the rule changes, there will be some bigger opportunities for the smaller teams. 

Crash.net: 

Do you believe that because you've worked with Charles Pic previously at the Barwa Addax GP2 team in 2011, this will benefit the team despite the lack of F1 experience you both have? 

Giedo van der Garde: 

Yeah, I guess so because we know each other. I know how he is, he knows how I am and we know each other's driving style. We worked well together at Addax because during that year we got the new [style GP2] car with the new tyres and we developed it during the year, so I think it's a good thing. He's fast, he already has one year's experience and I still have to learn from him because of his year's experience, but I think we can help the team go in the right direction. 

Crash.net: 

You're the 15th Dutch driver in F1 and the first since Christijan Albers in 2007; how do you feel about this? 

Giedo van der Garde: 

I'm very happy and proud! It's been a very long time since Holland had a F1 driver and you can now also see that the public are happier that we have one so that's good. For me, it's important to be an ambassador for motorsport in Holland because the last few years haven't been easy and with my announcement in F1, it is great for that. I hope that fathers and young kids will start karting again, which is a bit like how I started. 

Crash.net: 

Who and what inspired you to get into F1? 

Giedo van der Garde: 

I think it was Jos Verstappen. He was in F1, and that's why a lot of young kids and their dads started racing karts. I hope to get this feeling too, as it'll be good for Holland and good for kart racing. 

Crash.net: 

Since it was announced that you would drive in F1 this season, how have the Dutch media and public reacted to this? 

Giedo van der Garde: 

Well, they responded very well but we were also clear to the press and told them straight away that Caterham is still a young team so don't expect us to be in the top teb at every race. It's good for the sport, it's good for me to jump into a team like this because I can learn, get a lot of experience and grow with them, so the Dutch media is very happy and also know the reality of the situation. The public also have taken this very well. A lot of race fans were very happy to have a Dutch F1 driver. 

Crash.net: 

Given that football is the most popular sport in Holland, do you believe that with time and any success you may have, F1 can outstrip – or at least equal – football's popularity? 

Giedo van der Garde: 

That's a tough question! That's very hard because I think my first year it's maybe not possible, but I'll try my best so let's see what comes out if it. In Holland though, football is very, very big. 

Crash.net: 

Although the last Dutch Grand Prix was held at Zandvoort in 1985, if there were to be another, where would you like to see it held and why? 

Giedo van der Garde: 

At Zandvoort again, it's an amazing track! I've done quite a lot of laps there and I got pole position there in Formula 3. It has a nice layout, but for F1 it's far too small, although I think if the track were bigger and had more of a [modern] F1 layout, the drivers would love it. 

Crash.net: 

Is there any chance in the future for F1 to return to Holland? 

Giedo van der Garde: 

Let's hope so, but it won't be easy. If they want one, they're going to have to build a completely new track in a quiet place, not in a town like Zandvoort. The future will tell us! 

Credtis: Motorsport / by George East / Crash.net

Badger Meets… Giedo Van Der Garde

They say that good things come to those wait and after a few years on the fringes of Formula 1, Giedo Van Der Garde is now racing alongside Charles Pic at Caterham for 2013.

He’s an incredibly down-to-earth gent and was happy to have a chat with us in the Caterham motorhome during the Barcelona testing.

Badger GP: Congratulations on finally becoming a Formula One driver. How have the past three weeks been?

Giedo Van Der Garde: Madness! It’s been really mad. Of course the announcement was really late, it hasn’t been perfect, but the good thing is that I knew the team already so to jump in is quite good. But the press have been all over! In Holland, all over the world, everyone wants to know something. I’m handling it quite well.

Last week I went away from Holland to Spain because my trainer is from there. I stayed there, and was training really hard. It was good to go off and do your own thing and train really hard.

BGP: You’ve been a team-mate to Charles Pic already in GP2 (at Addax in 2011), is that a good relationship to start with in terms of moving to Formula One?

GVDG: Yes, very good. He already has one year’s experience with a good team-mate last year, so I can learn a lot from him. So I think yes. So far the working relationship is good. Let’s see if we can make good steps towards the front.

BGP: What do you get up to when your not being a racing driver?

GVDG: Spending time at home, with my fiancee. We have two dogs, but I’m not really often home lately, it’s a bit crazy! In the winter I like my hobbies. I’m crazy about football, I’m a big fan of Ajax. so whenever I’m at home I try to go. And next to that I’m quite into music. I like to chill out with music.

BGP: Are you in to food at all?

GVDG: Last few years yes. I couldn’t cook – well, water yes, and eggs – but the rest I wasn’t very good at. But my fiancee is really good, she used to train as a chef which was mega, lots of fantastic food. Once you go higher up you have to take care of your diet now, with the way KERS is you have to be as light as possible and the food is a big part of my life that I take care of.

Since I’ve been living in Spain I started to change the philosophy of food and of eating. With the English and the Dutch, we eat three times a day but now I change it and it’s now six times per day so the digestion is faster and your portions are smaller. You get all the carbohydrates and protein in a perfect balance. So I’m quite into my food.

BGP: We ask as many people in the sport we meet one important question; what’s your favourite cheese?

GVDG: Old Amsterdam. I think it’s the best cheese there is, it has a really old taste. I like it a lot.

BGP: Coming from a country like Holland, where there hasn’t been many F1 drivers of note, is there more pressure from the Dutch press?

GVDG: No. I have to say everybody’s really happy now. It’s been six, seven years since we had the last Formula One driver (Christian Albers, former Spyker pilot). When we announced it we told everyone straight away that the expectations are not high. Especially because the team is still young and still growing, not expecting to race in the top ten every race. If we were to get a point this year this for us would feel like victory.

But the people of Holland are very happy and I hope this time they start to look at the sport again, and I become an ambassador of motorsport in Holland. In the end the reason why I started Karting was beacuse of Jos Verstappen being in Formula One. Everyone was crazy about the sport, and the young kids with their Fathers went Go-Karting. I hope I can achieve the same.

BGP: Do you have an F1 hero at all?

GVDG: I think in the very early days in was Aryton Senna. I was too young to see him race, but I watched the Senna movie. It was filmed perfectly. He lived for it.

BGP: Did you have any posters of any F1 cars on your walls growing up?

GVDG: No, actually didn’t have any posters. I wasn’t into that. Not even girls!

BGP: Looking at your website you seem quite a motivational guy. Do you have any advice for any aspiring young racing drivers?

GVDG: Everything is possible in life. You only live life once, so take the most out of it. You can die tomorrow, maybe one week, one year, you never know. So I always say take the moment as it is and live your life. If you work hard enough and you want to achieve something, then you can. It all has to do with your mentality and your own input, as well as the people you have around you, who you also choose. It’s all in your own hands.

BGP: Is nice to chat to someone who’s so down to earth!

GVDG: We’re all the same people. Doesn’t matter if your a racing driver, a football player or somebody who cleans the streets, we’re all the same.

BGP: How’s the new Caterham been for you so far?

GVDG: I have to say quite good. I knew it well from last year, but the front is quite positive. We struggled a little bit with the rear end in Jerez but let’s see here tomorrow. Charles had a really unlucky day yesterday (Tuesday) with a broken gearbox so we couldn’t run the programmes we wanted, but today was a lot more positive. We need to see if we can make some steps in the right direction.

BGP: Do you enjoy the whole experience of testing?

GVDG: Of course. I have to say it’s been two busy days of media, which I don’t mind as it’s part of the job. I’ve been doing filming and pictures for Dutch TV, but I’m happy to do my work before jumping into the car.

BGP: You’ve tested for Spyker and Renault, and were involved with McLaren even earlier than that, so are all your past experiences coming together now to help?

GVGD: Yes, I guess. The time with Spyker wasn’t the best time as we had a contract for many more miles than we got in the end. It was still good to jump in and get the feeling of a Formula One car. The Renault test was a gift after I won the championship that year, but nether-the-less, those experiences were good.

With last year, being in GP2 and then into F1 after that season was very good for me. I started to learn the team, the car, and the way things are done each weekend. In that time I’ve grown up and I’m ready for Formula One.

BGP: If you weren’t a racing driver, what would you be doing?

GVDG: Maybe being a DJ? I love music. I sometimes do it just for fun with friends, or at a party.

Last year in Budapest after the race on Sunday night we organised some desks and I played for an hour. It was really good fun. 

BGP: You should link up with Jaime Alguersauri…

GVDG: He was there as well! To be honest, I played after and the crowd was more crazy about me than him.

BGP: We had some questions from some of our Twitter followers for you. Who do you prefer; Jan Lammers or Jos Verstappen?

GVDG: It’s hard to say because I never saw Lammers race, so I choose Jos. And I know him quite well, he used to tune my engines in Go-Kart when I won the championship in 2002. 

BGP: Was that your secret weapon? 

GVDG: You could say so. He’s a nice guy. A little crazy, but a good person and I’ve learned a lot from him. 

BGP: Is their anything you’d like to say to your fans?

GVDG: I like to remain open, like on Twitter, to give any many answers and show the world where I am. I don’t think a lot of drivers do that. There’s two sides to me; one outside the car and one inside, when I’m at work. Outside of F1 I didn’t have many easy years, but the biggest message I can give is just live your life and enjoy it.

BGP: You’re into your cycling. We managed to cycle from Silverstone to Spa for charity last year, fancy joining us next year?

GVDG: Really? How far is that, 500km? Maybe, for just a day. Then I’d take the train!

I like cycling, it’s good fun. But then I’m quite into old sports. You know Pelota? It’s a mix between squash and tennis. I learned it when I move to Valencia in 2011 and it’s lot of fun. You have walls behind you that you can use and it’s fast, also technical. You know, it’s hard as a racing driver that you can’t drive every day. It would be the perfect job with the driving being traning enough. It’s easy for a footballer to pick up a ball and train. For a racing driver you have to swim and run to keep the training going. 

BGP: It’s not the same in the simulator then?

GVDG: No, you learn the gears and the track but it’s completely different.

BGP: Any tracks you’re looking forward to this season, any favourites?

GVDG: I have to say I’m looking forward to the first one (Melbourne). I’ve been there, but never raced there, but it looks nice and entertaining. And of course Spa, for the Dutch fans.

It was great to chat with Giedo, he really is a lovely chap and we look forward to following his progress in 2013. Make sure you follow him on Twitter, he’s very open and happy to engage in conversation with fans. How refreshing!

Credits: badgergp.com

Van der Garde kalm ondanks nieuwe status

- English translation below the article -

De eerste week van Giedo van der Garde als Formule 1-coureur zit erop. De Nederlander, die aan het begin van deze maand gepresenteerd werd als de tweede coureur bij Caterham, kijkt met een goed gevoel terug op de testweek in Jerez de la Frontera en blijft ondertussen met beide benen op de grond staan.

Opeens weet heel Nederland wie Giedo van der Garde is. Zijn promotie naar een racezitje bij Caterham zorgde voor een flinke mediastorm in Nederland. Niet geheel verrassend, want de laatste keer dat we een Nederlandse coureur in de Formule 1 zagen racen, was in 2007. En Christijan Albers maakte het seizoen destijds niet af. Van der Garde ondergaat de media-aandacht gelaten. "Dat hoort er allemaal bij", zei hij in gesprek met GPUpdate.net. "Ik vind het wel leuk, want de autosport gaat weer leven in Nederland. Dit is het resultaat van jarenlang hard werken en alles onder controle houden." 

Van der Garde heeft in zijn eerste testweek weinig problemen ondervonden in de Caterham, waardoor er prima doorgewerkt kon worden. "Op de eerste dag waren we 's ochtends vooral bezig met het controleren van allemaal kleine dingetjes, zoals dat gaat als je voor het eerst in een nieuwe auto stapt", zei hij. "Maar dat verliep allemaal vrij snel en dus konden we al snel beginnen aan het werken aan de afstelling en de banden. Er was nog even wat met de vloer van de auto, maar dat hoort er allemaal bij tijdens zo'n test. Het is nog moeilijk te zeggen hoe de auto zich verhoudt tot die van vorig jaar. De voorkant is verbeterd, daar hebben we wel enkele stappen gemaakt. We zullen in de komende tests nu moeten uitvinden hoe goed de auto precies is." 

Over de verwachtingen voor het komende seizoen is Van der Garde nog voorzichtig. Hij beseft dat de Caterham niet gelijk een bergenverzetter zal zijn. "Vergeet niet dat dit nog een jong team is. We hebben net een nieuwe algemeen directeur (Cyril Abiteboul, red.) en die gaat in de komende tijd de mannetjes op de juiste plek zetten. We moeten niet denken dat we gelijk in de top-tien zullen staan. Misschien kunnen we in een gekke race, met veel pitstops of regen, zoiets bereiken. Maar tot die tijd moeten we gewoon met z'n allen heel hard blijven werken. Het is een zeer gemotiveerd team en ik zal er alles aan doen om mijn steentje bij te dragen." 

GPUpdate.net

Van der Garde tevreden over tweede testdag

- English translation below - 

Giedo van der Garde heeft zijn eerste twee testdagen voor Caterham achter de rug. Onze landgenoot reed woensdag op het circuit van Jerez bijna negentig ronden en klokte als snelste tijd 1.21'311'". Daarmee was hij ruim zes tiende sneller dan op de eerste dag.

Solide

Opnieuw een solide dag", sprak Van der Garde op de website van Caterham. "En met 88 ronden kunnen we tevreden zijn. Voor de tweede dag op rij waren er geen echte problemen. We hebben ons programma afgewerkt en dat betekent dat het team op het circuit en in de fabriek in Leafield veel data heeft om mee aan de slag te gaan."

Programma

's-Ochtends hebben we aan de aerodynamica gewerkt en daarna zijn we set-ups gaan vergelijken op de verschillende bandencompounds. Ik denk dat we in de laatste run een goede richting zijn ingeslagen, dus nu kan het team de komende twee dagen verder gaan met het boeken van progressie."

Positief

'Een ander belangrijk punt is dat ik me steeds comfortabeler voel in de auto. De tijd die ik vorig jaar met het team heb doorgebracht, is van waarde geweest. Dit betekende dat ik meteen serieus aan de slag kon. Dat ik tijdens mijn eerste twee testdagen meer dan 150 ronden heb kunnen rijden, is echt heel positief".

RTL GP

Exclusive interview: Giedo van der Garde

- English translation below -

Giedo van der Garde komt woensdag voor de tweede dag op rij in actie voor Caterham. Tijdens de tweede testdag op Jerez hoopt de Nederlander veel kilometers te maken om met name de banden onder de knie te krijgen. Formule 1 sprak exclusief met hem. 

Hoe is je eerste testdag verlopen? 

“Prima, ik heb niets te klagen. We wisten van te voren dat we niet al te hoge verwachtingen moesten hebben en dat we dus niet opeens in de middenmoot zouden eindigen. Bovendien staat zo’n eerste testdag vooral in het teken van systeemcheck, installatierondes, noem maar op. Maar al vrij snel, was alles in orde en konden we aan de bak. Helaas hebben we twee keer veel tijd verloren doordat zowel links als rechts een deel van de vloer afbrak. Dat moest gelijmd worden, en weer op de auto gezet. En de tijd tikt door. Dat is jammer, maar desondanks hebben we toch een redelijk programma kunnen doen.” 

Hoe heb je de nacht van maandag op dinsdag geslapen? Het was je eerste officiële werkdag als Formule 1racecoureur van Caterham. Een bijzonder moment? 

“Ik was een beetje gespannen. Werd af en toe wakker, maar verder wel prima hoor. Het was ook wel spannend om de auto te presenteren voor al die pers. Het is toch weer anders dan voorheen. Maar daarna gaat de knop.” 

Je vriendin en familie was niet aanwezig. Bewust? 

“Ja, alleen Carlos, mijn trainer, was er. Ik ben hier natuurlijk om mijn werk te doen. Ik heb er niets aan dat zij er zijn en voor hun is er ook weinig aan om me alleen maar rondjes te zien rijden.” 

De auto is anders van kleurstelling ten opzichte van vorig seizoen. Wat vind jij ervan? 

“Cool! Hij valt wel op nu. De kleur van vorig jaar was iets te donker, waardoor het op televisie soms net zwart leek. De kleur nu is oké. We hebben er ook goede respons op gekregen.” 

Hoe stap je vervolgens in de auto? Realiseer je je dan dat je je droom eindelijk verwezenlijkt? 

“Bij het wegrijden moest ik wel lachen, ja. Natuurlijk. Na al die tijd is het me toch gelukt. Maar al snel kom je in een ritme en vergeet je dat. En ben je al gauw aan het werk en probeer je met het team stappen te maken.” 

Hoe groot is het verschil tussen deze auto en die van vorig jaar? 

“De wagen voelt anders aan. De voorkant voelt goed, geeft me een fijn gevoel. Maar aan de achterkant moeten we aan de afstelling werken, want dat is nog niet naar mijn zin. De Pirelli-banden zijn ook compleet anders dan ik gewend ben. Het rubber is van een heel andere constructie, waardoor je voor meer grip hebt. Dat heeft tijd nodig om dat onder de knie te krijgen. Maar daar zal ik niet de enige in zijn. Daarnaast moeten we de komende testdagen goed gebruiken om de beste afstelling te vinden en een goede racepace te creëren.” 

Eén van de procedures die je geoefend hebt, zijn de starts. Hoe ging dat? 

“Dat ging heel goed. Ik had er nog weinig ervaring mee. Alleen tijdens de rookietest in Abu Dhabi heb ik het een paar keer gedaan. Dat was een drama. Maar nu was het team erg tevreden. Ze zeiden: we weten niet wat je gedaan hebt in de winter, maar je bent enorm vooruit gegaan.” 

Het was voor alle coureurs natuurlijk een drukke dag. Maar zijn er nog rijders geweest die je gefeliciteerd hebben? 

“Ik heb bijna niemand gezien, zo weinig tijd heb je. Maar Nico Hülkenberg kwam me feliciteren en de jongens van Toro Rosso ook.” 

Het zijn hectische dagen geweest voor je. Zo kort voor de test. Heb je desondanks wel mee gekregen hoe enthousiast Nederland is nu er weer een landgenoot Formule 1 rijdt? 

“Dat is super mooi om te zien. Andersom ben ik ook trots om voor Nederland uit te komen. Wat dat betreft ben ik ook een rasechte Nederlander, nuchter als wat en ik ben dan ook geenszins van plan te veranderen. Ik wil blijven wie ik ben.”

Credits: Formule1 tijdschrift

Van der Garde: 'Punt scoren zou fantastisch zijn'

- English translation below -

AMSTERDAM Giedo van der Garde hoopt komend Formule 1-seizoen tenminste één punt te kunnen scoren. Dat zei de autocoureur maandag tijdens een flitsbezoek aan Amsterdam.

Van der Garde is realistisch als het gaat om zijn positie in het veld. "Ik verwacht niet dat we top-10 gaan rijden. De middenmoot heeft ook stappen gemaakt en wij moeten daar dit seizoen naartoe groeien. In het begin zullen we van 15 tot 22 gaan rijden. Maar als we geluk hebben, kunnen we een punt scoren. Dat zou fantastisch zijn." Anderhalve week geleden maakte de coureur bekend dat hij het tweede stoeltje in het team van Caterham heeft bemachtigd."

View both (Dutch) videos HERE

De eerste race is over een maand in Melbourne. Een stratencircuit waar Van der Garde nog niet eerder heeft gereden. "Ik heb wel geoefend op de simulator en ken het circuit van een spelletje. Het is een gaaf circuit. Ik kijk ernaar uit." Woensdag vertrekt de Amsterdammer voor een trainingskamp naar Spanje. In Barcelona gaat hij opnieuw testen.

RTV N-H