van der Garde booted out of Super Aguri?

[davewilson]

Yesterday afternoon a row erupted between the Spyker F1 Team and Super Aguri over the contractual services of Giedo van der Garde. Both team have laid claim to the Dutchman, with Super Aguri so far the most vocal.

Since yesterdays press release from Spyker F1 there has not been a single word from the team on the subject of the validity of their contract with van der Garde.

Super Aguri on the other hand have been very quick to publically lay claim to van der Garde's services.

"(Super Aguri) has a valid contract with Giedo van der Garde to drive for the team in the position of Friday and Test Driver for the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship," read a statement reportedly issued from Leafield, the location of the Super Aguri factory.

"The contract was submitted by the SAF1 Team to the Contracts Recognition Board on 23 January 2007."

Several of our message board contributors have expanded on this continuing story citing media sources within their own native countries.

According to an interview published in the Dutch AD newspaper (thanks L-G), van der Garde's deal with Super Aguri fell through and he was asked to leave the team - reportedly something to do with a contractual complication. Giedo returned to Holland, and immediately received and accepted an offer from Spyker F1 that same day. According to van der Garde, his contract with Spyker is safe because he was dismissed by Super Aguri. When quizzed about the speed of the deal with Spyker, he reportedly claimed that he had and maintained close contact with the team.

Now, if van der Garde was dismissed from Super Aguri why are the Honda B team shouting so loud about the validity of their contract? One clue might be financial, as it has also been reported on our forum that he is engaged to the daughter of a billionaire.

Is this whole chirade simply a case of one-up-man-ship, with one team trying to get the jump on the other? It is no secret that relations are strained over the issue of Super Aguri using last seasons Honda chassis in the 2007 World Championship.

Whatever is really going on it makes for entertaining reading, but fans are concerned about the possible negative impact this unfolding story is having on the image of Spyker F1.

The Stig