An Australian court has cleared the way for Dutch Formula One driver Giedo van der Garde to compete in this weekend's Melbourne Grand Prix after his legal challenge was ruled successful on Wednesday. Van der Garde won the challenge to get a spot in Sunday's race with Swiss F1 team Sauber, who removed him as a driver late last year despite having a contract. Justice Clyde Croft in the Supreme Court of Victoria said Van der Garde's application was successful. Giedo van der Garde, pictured at testing in 2014 was the reserve driver for Sauber last season . Lawyers for Sauber argued Van der Garde was an unacceptable risk because he wasn't trained in the team's car and he did not have a custom seat, but van der Garde's lawyer Tom Clarke said his client was ready to work with the team to get a seat fitted before racing begins. Sauber said in a statement 'the outcome is unfortunately not as expected.' 'We are disappointed with this decision and now need to take time to understand what it means and the impact it will have on the start of our season,' Sauber team chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn said. 'What we cannot do is jeopardize the safety of our team, or any other driver on the track, by having an unprepared driver in a car that has now been tailored to two other assigned drivers.' But Van der Garde said outside court he was ready to race. Practice begins Friday. 'I'm very fit and very strong. I'm looking forward to going back to the team, work hard and do our best for the weekend,' he said. 'I'm the fittest ever. I've been training the last three months flat out.' Van der Garde also said that despite the legal battle, he was keen to work with Sauber again. Dutch driver  claimed he was offered a race seat for the 2015 campaign but Sauber reneged on deal . 'I'm looking forward to going back to the team. I had a very good relationship, I still have a very good relationship, with the team,' he said. One of Sauber's current drivers, Marcus Ericsson or Felipe Nasr, would have to miss out for Van der Garde to race in one of the two team cars. 'Well, I think it's up to them what they're going to do, and up to the team. It's not my thing,' he said. Van der Garde said he would be on track at Albert Park later Wednesday to catch up and prepare for the race.
Giedo van der Garde was Sauber's test driver last season .
He claims he was promised a full-time race seat for the 2015 season .
But Sauber hired Marcus Ericsson and Felipe Nasr instead .
Supreme Court in Australia announce he has won his legal challenge .
Melbourne is first race of the Formula One season starting on March 15 .
An Australian court has cleared the way for Dutch Formula One driver Giedo van der Garde to compete in this weekend's Melbourne Grand Prix after his legal challenge was ruled successful on Wednesday. Van der Garde won the challenge to get a spot in Sunday's race with Swiss F1 team Sauber, who removed him as a driver late last year despite having a contract. Justice Clyde Croft in the Supreme Court of Victoria said Van der Garde's application was successful. Giedo van der Garde, pictured at testing in 2014 was the reserve driver for Sauber last season . Lawyers for Sauber argued Van der Garde was an unacceptable risk because he wasn't trained in the team's car and he did not have a custom seat, but van der Garde's lawyer Tom Clarke said his client was ready to work with the team to get a seat fitted before racing begins. Sauber said in a statement 'the outcome is unfortunately not as expected.' 'We are disappointed with this decision and now need to take time to understand what it means and the impact it will have on the start of our season,' Sauber team chief executive Monisha Kaltenborn said. 'What we cannot do is jeopardize the safety of our team, or any other driver on the track, by having an unprepared driver in a car that has now been tailored to two other assigned drivers.' But Van der Garde said outside court he was ready to race. Practice begins Friday. 'I'm very fit and very strong. I'm looking forward to going back to the team, work hard and do our best for the weekend,' he said. 'I'm the fittest ever. I've been training the last three months flat out.' Van der Garde also said that despite the legal battle, he was keen to work with Sauber again. Dutch driver  claimed he was offered a race seat for the 2015 campaign but Sauber reneged on deal . 'I'm looking forward to going back to the team. I had a very good relationship, I still have a very good relationship, with the team,' he said. One of Sauber's current drivers, Marcus Ericsson or Felipe Nasr, would have to miss out for Van der Garde to race in one of the two team cars. 'Well, I think it's up to them what they're going to do, and up to the team. It's not my thing,' he said. Van der Garde said he would be on track at Albert Park later Wednesday to catch up and prepare for the race.
Formula One driver Giedo van der Garde to compete legal challenge was ruled successful on Croft in the Supreme Court of Victoria said Van reserve driver for Sauber last season . Lawyers he was offered a race seat for the 2015 campaign Sauber's current drivers, Marcus Ericsson or