Dutch racer Giedo Van der Garde has launched a legal action seeking a drive for Sauber in the season opening Australian Grand Prix.

Van der Garde, the Swiss outfit's reserve driver in 2014, claims he was offered a full race seat for 2015 in mid-2014. However, the team reneged on the deal, whilst also dropping its then drivers - Adrian Sutil and Esteban Gutierrez - for an all-new line-up, Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr.

Documents lodged by Van der Garde with Victoria’s Supreme Court claim that the Dutchman was unfairly dismissed by the Hinwil outfit.

"In early November 20l4, Mr Van de Garde was informed by Sauber's Chief Executive Officer, Ms Monisha Kaltenborn, that Sauber's two seats had been given to other drivers and that, as a consequence, Mr van der Garde would not have a place as a driver in the team in 2015," the documents claim.

"The Respondent was ordered to refrain from taking any action the effect of which would be to deprive Mr van der Garde of his entitlement to participate in the 2015 Formula One Season as one of Sauber's two nominated race drivers."

It's understood that Van der Garde has previously taken the case to the Arbitration Institution in Switzerland, which subsequently that the team should retain him.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Hondawho?, 06/03/2015 8:51

"If you seek the truth about "El Nano" speak to Snr Briatore perhaps?"

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2. Posted by TheBucketOfTruth, 05/03/2015 17:40

"The point is you can't just sign 5 contracts and then pick and choose which ones you want to honor. I doubt Giedo actually wants to race in a team that doesn't want him, but he should at least be paid off for the time in his contract that won't be honored (if he hasn't already)."

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3. Posted by kiwi2wheels, 05/03/2015 15:30

"That's what happens when you have a F 1 team run by a ......lawyer !"

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4. Posted by testa rossa, 05/03/2015 14:58

"Funny Sauber complains about unfair treatment by the Fom etc and they do the same to the drivers.
So the lesson is , don't take anyone in F1 serious , they are all bums."

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5. Posted by Rock Doc, 05/03/2015 14:37

"Giedo, walk away and find another racing series to impress in. Then come back. No team will take you in the future if you continue with this. Hold your head up high and show them on the track.

Yes it is sad you don't get to race this year, but is Sauber the place to make a stand and burn all your bridges. Move on and let your driving do the talking, not your lawyer (who obviously wasn't that good with the contract in the first place).

Good luck "

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6. Posted by REV, 05/03/2015 13:25

"This could mean the end for Sauber. They would lose either Nasr's or Ericsson's sponsorship as well as probably another court case for breach of contract. Interesting to see how this pans out."

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Van der Garde sues Sauber for Melbourne start

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