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Van der Garde and Gonzalez join Caterham GP2

ESPNF1 Staff
February 27, 2012 « Home pressure won't faze Webber | Razia to race for Arden in 2012 » Giedo van der Garde has already tested for Caterham's Formula One team this season © Sutton Images

Giedo van der Garde and Rodolfo Gonzalez will race for Caterham Racing in the GP2 Series this season.

Van der Garde joins the GP2 team having already been confirmed as the reserve driver for Caterham's grand prix team, participating in a number of Friday practice sessions. It will be his fourth season in the series, having won three races in his debut year. He said that having both roles within the same group would help him stay race sharp as well as being able to manage his two schedules effectively.

"I am very happy with our deal with Caterham Racing," van der Garde said. "I have in the past had some good results in GP2 but this year I am looking forward to winning races and I think I am in the right place to do that here. Considering it was the team's first ever season last year they showed great potential and I hope together we can build on this and win races, lots of them!

"The link to the Formula One team is a great advantage and I am very happy with that. I feel it's a big step up from where I was last year. It means I will go to all the Formula One races, but I will race a full GP2 season too which keeps me sharp. Now we must make sure we are well prepared for testing and consistently score points throughout the season."

It will be Gonzalez's third season in GP2, and although he's yet to stand on the podium he added that he felt he could win races this year after being impressed with the environment at Caterham.

"I am incredibly happy to be joining Caterham Racing this year and I can't wait to get going!" Gonzalez said. "I had a very successful test with the F1 team in November where they provided me with all the right facilities and a great structure in which to learn. In the past perhaps I have not had the right structure or opportunity to develop properly as a driver but I believe this team will provide me with everything I need to help me up my game and have a successful season, in and out of the car."