Former Sauber test driver Giedo van der Garde says he has settled his contract dispute with the team for 'significant compensation ' while accepting his Formula One career is effectively over . Van der Garde had a deal to be one of the team 's race drivers this season , but Sauber did not honour it , and legal judgments in Switzerland and last week in Australia before the season-opening race supported the Dutchman 's claims . He said on his Facebook page on Wednesday that the compensation meant 'my rights have finally been recognised and that at least some justice has been done , ' but said he was 'sad and disappointed ' that his F1 ambitions are over , and still bewildered at Sauber 's decision-making . Giedo van der Garde has settled his contract dispute with Sauber for 'significant compensation ' The former Sauber test driver accepts that he no longer has a future in Formula One . ' I had hoped at last to be able to show what I am capable of , driving a car for a respected midfield team in the 2015 season , ' Van der Garde said . 'This dream has been taken away from me , and I know that my future in Formula 1 is probably over . ' The settlement ends a long-running dispute that was a dramatic backdrop to the start of the season last weekend in Melbourne , Australia . Having received the backing of a Swiss employment tribunal , Van der Garde took his case to the local Supreme Court of the state of Victoria , where he won the initial hearing and Sauber 's appeal . Pressing his claims further , Van der Garde filed contempt of court charges against the team for not immediately facilitating his installation as a driver in Australia . These charges threatened to impound the team 's equipment and possibly lead to the detention of team principal Monisha Kaltenborn . The Dutchman was hoping to race for the team at the season 's opening grand prix in Australia . Marcus Ericsson ( left ) and Felipe Nasr ( right ) eventually raced in Melbourne and will remain Sauber 's drivers . He finally agreed to drop that action , allowing drivers Felipe Nasr and Marcus Ericsson to compete in Melbourne , where the team put in a surprisingly strong performance , with the cars finishing fifth and eighth . Van der Garde said on Wednesday he dropped that contempt of court case because it would have 'wrecked ' the team 's weekend , and hurt Nasr and Ericsson most of all . ' I decided I did not want to live with that idea , even though it was only the team 's management that was responsible for the bizarre situation I found myself in , ' Van der Garde said . His career supported through his billionaire father-in-law , he said his sponsor forwarded money to the team during 2014 for a 2015 drive . 'Effectively , it was my sponsor 's advanced payments that helped the team survive in 2014 , ' Van der Garde said . 'Sauber 's financial decision-making in this case is bizarre , and makes no sense to me . ' The Sauber team produced a surprisingly effective performance in Melbourne finishing fifth and eighth . Van der Garde took his case to the Victoria Supreme Court where judges ruled he should race . He said his experience 'will serve as an example to illustrate what should change , and that new regulations will be implemented to help protect driver rights . ' 'There are numerous examples of talented drivers with good intentions , but without the sort of professional support that I have had , who have been broken by Formula 1 , and who have seen their careers destroyed . ' He said he will pursue opportunities in sports cars and touring cars . VIDEO Hamilton cruises to victory in Australian GP .
Giedo van der Garde has settled dispute for 'significant compensation ' Former Sauber test driver had deal to race that was not honoured despite legal backing from Formula One . Dutchman accepts Supreme Court career is now over but remains bemused by the team 's decision .