Caterham has confirmed that Giedo van der Garde, the Leafield-based team’s 2012 reserve driver, will be promoted to a race seat for 2013, alongside Charles Pic. The confirmation is a natural step up for the Dutchman, after competing for junior outfit Caterham Racing in the GP2 Series, registering six podiums and two wins.
"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," said van der Garde. "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."
Caterham F1 Team Principal Cyril Abiteboul described van der Garde as an 'excellent choice', with the 27-year-old fending off the likes of Heikki Kovalainen and Vitaly Petrov for the vacancy.
"Everyone in the team is delighted that we can finally confirm that Giedo will be racing for us," said Abiteboul. "This is the next natural step for Giedo with our team. We continue to grow as a team and we are committed to giving young talent across the motorsport industry the chance to grow with us and this is Giedo's opportunity to show he deserves his place at the very highest level of global motorsport.
"He and Charles have been team-mates before, so he is an excellent choice to partner Charles in what is going to be another very interesting season."
This leaves only Force India and Marussia to complete their respective driver line-ups.
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