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Sauber loses Van der Garde appeal

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Giedo van der Garde has been granted the legal right to participate in the Australian Grand Prix after Sauber's appeal was dismissed by a Victoria court.

On Tuesday Van der Garde won his case against Sauber after it upheld the same judgement made in a Swiss court that he is entitled to race. The Dutchman, Sauber's reserve driver in 2014, had a deal to race full-time this season but the team signed Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr instead.

The court confirmed Sauber's appeal had been unsuccessful on Thursday afternoon.

Court of Appeal dismisses @SauberF1Team 's appeal @F1 @GvanderGarde @ausgrandprix

— Supreme Court of Vic (@SCVSupremeCourt) March 12, 2015

It remains unclear what will happen ahead of Friday's first practice session as Sauber has three contracted drivers for two seats, while Van der Garde has a limited time to secure an FIA superlicence. His next step is to seek an enforcement of order to ensure Sauber makes a car available this weekend with court proceedings to continue at 10:30 on Friday.

However, on the FIA's official entry list for this weekend, Sauber put forward Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson as the drivers eligible to take part in the race.

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