Van der Garde, who has already driven last year's CT01 car in several free practice sessions during the 2012 season, joins Charles Pic to form Caterham's completely new racing duo for this year's campaign. Many expected Vitaly Petrov to retain his seat at the Leafield-based outfit, but the team decided to give one of its protegés the chance to step up to F1.
With no less than six weeks to go until the start of the 2013 F1 season, Van der Garde can't wait to race the soon to be unveiled CT02 car in Australia. "I know I am ready to take the step up to F1 and all the work I have done throughout my career, and particularly in the last year with this team, has brought me to my ultimate goal,” he explained. “Throughout 2012 I was able to fully integrate myself into the team, both through the FP1 sessions I ran at a number of tracks that were then new to me, and as Reserve Driver, fully embedded with the team throughout the season. Now I can continue to learn at the highest level of motorsport and show that I am ready for F1. I cannot wait to start work."
Hi guys what day! here with Cyril Abiteboul, the teamboss of @mycaterhamf1 ,thank you all! #giedoraces21 twitter.com/GvanderGarde/s…
— Giedo van der Garde (@GvanderGarde) 1 februari 2013
Excited to share that I am going to be racing for@mycaterhamf1 #this season @mcgregorfashion #giedoraces21 #f1 twitter.com/GvanderGarde/s…
— Giedo van der Garde (@GvanderGarde) 1 februari 2013
To welcome @gvandergarde at his unveiling as our newest race driver!!! twitter.com/MyCaterhamF1/s…
— Caterham F1 Team (@MyCaterhamF1) 1 februari 2013
