Dutch hopeful Giedo van der Garde could join the F1 circus in 2007, according to reports.
The 21-year-old, whose seat in the F3 Euroseries this year was partly funded by McLaren, is being linked with Japanese squad Super Aguri’s vacant role as test driver.
“Within two or three weeks I expect clarity,” the magazine Formula 1 Race Report quoted Giedo as saying.
A role at Super Aguri, however, is likely to rest on the outcome of negotiations with rival teams about the practice regulations in 2007. The Leafield based squad is pushing to make it mandatory for teams to run a ‘Friday’ driver next year.
If the rule remains unchanged, it is possible that Super Aguri will not sign a tester at all, despite the fact that team sources say talks are ongoing with up to three potential drivers.
Van der Garde’s manager Benjamin Johl said: “We expect to be able to settle our plans next week and afterwards we will speak to the press.”
GMMF1
DailyF1News.com
