Dutch racer Giedo van der Garde has announced today that he has decided to retire from professional racing at 38 years old.
During his career, van der Garde rose to the top of the single-seater world. Along the way he won the Formula Renault 3.5 Series title in 2008 before completing a brief stint with Caterham in Formula One between 2012 and 2014.
After his career in F1 ended abruptly following a controversial contract dispute with Sauber in 2015, he moved into sportscar racing. As a prototype driver, van der Garde, who be came known for his trademark opening stints in FIA WEC races, enjoyed many highlights. He won the 2016 ELMS title with G-Drive Racing and a pair of FIA WEC LMP2 races with Racing Team Nederland and later United Autosports.
“It all started with passion, just me and my dad, pure racing,” van der Garde said in a video announcement on social media today.
“Then we took on the world, and we conquered it. Racing became my life, I met new rivals and made new friends. I won some races, lost a few, then made my dream come true. I was knocked down but got back up, because the passion was still there.
“Again I made new friends, won some races and even conquered the world again. But by now it was a new world, a world in which I am a dad myself, which revolves around my family and the love of my life. I have found new passions and challenges.
“Therefore today I say goodbye to racing. A little sad? Maybe. But happy all the same. It has been quite a ride. Thanks to all of you who made it happen. The years went by in a flash, but I will remember them forever.”
