Yet another new pay driver may be on the grid next year

[John S]

Dutchman Van der Garde is looking to secure a seat with ex Williams sponsor McGregor's backing next year. For the last two seasons Giedo has been in the midfield of GP2, so money really is the only way into F1 now. 

Earlier this month, 25-year-old Giedo van der Garde's manager revealed he is in talks with several teams and has received "concrete offers" from two. The Dutch GP2 driver is edging ever nearer a formula one race cockpit for the 2011 season.

Former Dutch F1 driver Jos Verstappen said at the time that he believes van der Garde's talks were with Virgin and Lotus.

And now the Dutch magazine formule1.nl reports that he is in "extensive negotiations" with Virgin, who are believed to be seeking a pay-driver to be Timo Glock's next teammate.

Interestingly, van der Garde's manager Jan Paul ten Hoopen is also the commercial director of the Dutch fashion brand McGregor, who are set to stop sponsoring the Williams team.

And van der Garde's father-in-law is Marcel Boekhoorn, a major shareholder of McGregor, who with ten Hoopen apparently visited Virgin's team headquarters earlier this week.

"It's a possibility," answered van der Garde when asked if he is going to make his F1 debut with Virgin in 2011.

"I've only heard that we are talking; I have no idea if it will come to a deal. That is my management's job.

"Drivers are often the last to know. I only know that they are working on it and I hear there have been some meetings. I don't know any more," he insisted.

OneStopStrategy.com, Today.

[Ian]

So that means when I win the lottery on Saturday I could be an F1 driver next year, heaven help them. 

[lkjohnson1950]

There is probably a requirement that you can sit in the car without having heart palpitations.

Lonny

[Ian]

They would also have to redesign the car for my belly too Lonny. 

[John S]

I reckon McLaren could be persuaded to sell you the extra wide Mansell bodyshell and seat Ian. 

[Ian]

It's not the hip width John, it's the backbone to bellybutton that could be the problem. 

[cosworth151]

Take heart, Ian. Remember Froilan "The Pampas Bull" Gonzalez.

We have a vintage racing group here in the States whose motto is, "Back when the tires were skinny and the drivers were fat."