Giedo van der Garde might still be in the running for the Virgin seat alongside Timo Glock in 2011.<\/p>\n
Last week, it emerged that Belgian Jerome d’Ambrosio’s hopes had advanced so far that he only needed the approval of team partner Marussia to secure the race seat.<\/p>\n
But Dutchman van der Garde, whose manager Jan Paul ten Hoopen is also commercial director of the fashion brand McGregor, has also been strongly linked with Virgin for 2011.<\/p>\n
“Giedo is ready,” said ten Hoopen.\u00a0 “We hope that a decision is taken for Christmas.”<\/p>\n
The magazine formule1.nl reports that Lucas di Grassi, the seat’s 2010 occupant, also stands a chance of staying at Virgin.<\/p>\n
Ten Hoopen denies that money alone will determine the victor.<\/p>\n
“Teams look at three things: speed, potential and budget,” he insisted.<\/p>\n
“It’s not like the one with the most money automatically gets the spot.\u00a0 Giedo has developed enormously in recent years and is thus an attractive partner for a team,” he added.<\/p>\n
“The plan we set out has largely been realised: champion in the Renault World Series, a good debut in GP2 with a top classification and some wins, and in the second year champion.<\/p>\n
“The latter didn’t quite work out for various reasons not only under Giedo’s control.<\/p>\n
“He is right when he said going into formula one will be difficult, but we do believe that he has a chance,” added van der Garde’s manager.<\/p>\n
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