Caterham F1 Team
Giedo van der Garde says that he does not feel that he should have been penalised during the Korean Grand Prix.
Van der Garde was handed a drive through penalty for forcing Jules Bianchi wide on the opening lap of the race.
"My start was great, really strong and when everyone was moving to avoid [Felipe] Massa in turn three I had to push out wide to avoid contact with a few cars around me," he said.
"I really don’t think I’d pushed any other cars out on purpose on lap one but I was told to box for a drive through penalty because of what the stewards saw and from there my race was pretty much over. I served the penalty and then had to box again immediately as the supersofts I’d started on were done, so even though I was up as high as 12th in the first stint I rejoined in 22nd and set about catching up [Max] Chilton and Bianchi.
"I was up close to Chilton just when the safety car came out and the team did a great job to help me get past him with a really quick stop on the first safety car lap. That sort of teamwork needs to be mentioned as it plays such a critical role in the overall race, so the boys deserve a thank you for that."
"The second safety car came out almost immediately when Mark’s car caught fire and then when we restarted I had a bit of a lock up at the end of the main straight and Bianchi got past, but within a couple more laps I regained the place and was back behind Charles [Pic] in 17th."
"I had a flatspot from that point in the race but kept pushing and finally finished in 15th, just behind Charles. Without the drive through I’m sure I could have finished higher, maybe not up in 13th, but close and while that’s obviously frustrating today, it shows how close it’s getting and that’s good for my motivation and the whole team."
