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Van der Garde still pushing for F1 seat

Giedo van der Garde was beaten to the Virgin seat by 2010 GP2 rival Jerome d'Ambrosio © Sutton Images

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• News:
• Bianchi and van der Garde to continue in GP2
  
• News:
• Virgin signs d'Ambrosio for 2011
  

• Drivers:
• Jérôme d'Ambrosio
• |
• Giedo van der Garde

• Teams:
• Virgin

Giedo van der Garde and his management are still trying to crack Formula One in 2011, despite missing out on the second Virgin race seat to Jerome d'Ambrosio.

Van der Garde was in the running for the seat alongside Timo Glock but was pipped by d'Ambrosio, who finished 18 points behind him in this year's GP2 championship.

Asked if he had heard the news before Virgin's press release was issued, he told the Dutch press: "No, we were not informed in advance. It is unfortunate, but what you do know in advance is how difficult it is to get a Formula One seat. F1 remains the goal even if it is a tough business. You have to ignore the setbacks and keep going."

The Dutch magazine formule1.nl said 'plan B' for van der Garde is another season in GP2, or perhaps a test seat with the Williams or Force India teams.

Van der Garde replied: "This news is so fresh. First I have to sit down with my management to see what is best for my career. Plan B is to be GP2 champion, as we have seen what it did for Pastor Maldonado. He was in GP2 four years before he was champion."

His manager Jan Paul ten Hoopen admitted that Tuesday's news has "narrowed the opportunities" for van der Garde in F1 for 2011.

"With Virgin we had a realistic option," he added. "We are still talking with two other teams, including Force India. But you can never rely on something in Formula One. It's a big casino."

Meanwhile d'Ambrosio said the news that he would be driving for Virgin in 2011 was like Christmas and birthday presents rolled into one.

"It's a nice Christmas gift but also a birthday present - I was born on December 27," he told Belgian television RTBF. "This has come after many weeks of waiting, and everything finally came together just recently. I didn't sleep last night because I was so excited. I only heard the news last night and it was hugely emotional. Doing a grand prix season is a dream come true, but now is the time to start working."

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