JULY 18, 2013

Van der Garde ignores Kovalainen rumours

Giedo van der Garde has repeated his denial that Heikki Kovalainen is stalking his race seat at Caterham.

Giedo van der Garde has repeated his denial that Heikki Kovalainen is stalking his race seat at Caterham.

After a mediocre first half-season in F1, the Dutchman recently dismissed rumours former Caterham racer Kovalainen was set to replace him later in 2013.

"I know where they (the rumours) are coming from, but I also know that I have a watertight contract for the rest of this season," said van der Garde.

The rumours, however, did not go away, and so the Dutch driver told De Telegraaf newspaper on Wednesday: "I will finish the season."

Further dismissing the rumours, he added: "I am busy enough with everything that I am doing and learning."

Van der Garde said qualifying 15th at Monaco was a high point of his career.

"I didn't expect to reach the second qualifying segment. That was great," he said.

But the low point quickly followed, in Canada, where collisions and a penalty earned a harsh 'pay driver' rebuke from Mark Webber.

But van der Garde insisted: "Webber and I already settled everything after the race. He is respectful to everyone, even the rookies."

(GMM)