Sauber hand Van der Garde Bahrain practice run

Giedo van der Garde will make his debut for Sauber in the first practice session of this weekend’s 2014 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.

The Dutchman spent his rookie 2013 season competing with Caterham - taking a best result of 14th at the Hungaroring - but was not retained and elected to join Sauber as their test and reserve driver.

He will drive the Ferrari-powered C33 in FP1 in place of Esteban Gutierrez, but will hand back controls to the Mexican for second practice.

Sauber have also confirmed that Van der Garde will drive their car on day two of the post-race Bahrain test that runs on April 8-9.

Fellow Sauber tester Sergey Sirotkin will drive for the team on day one in order to complete the Formula One mileage necessary to secure his FIA Super Licence.

The 18-year-old Russian got his first taste of F1 machinery last year when he demonstrated a 2013 Sauber on a 700-metre stretch of the new Sochi circuit.