Giedo van der Garde
A Dutch racer who transitioned from a single F1 season into a decorated endurance career, proving his speed lasts longer than a Grand Prix.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Dutch racing driver·Birthday: April 25·Millennials
Biography
Giedo van der Garde's path in motorsport is a testament to resilience and versatility. The Dutch driver, born in 1985, spent years climbing the single-seater ladder, tasting success in Formula Renault and GP2 before finally securing a Formula One seat with Caterham in 2013. That season was a brutal lesson in the politics and financial realities of the sport, but it didn't define him. Van der Garde pivoted seamlessly to sportscar racing, where he found his true calling. His aggressive yet precise style was perfectly suited to endurance events. Piloting for teams like Racing Team Nederland and G-Drive, he became a familiar face and a consistent winner in the European Le Mans Series and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After retiring from driving, he channeled his experience into sharp, insightful commentary for Dutch television, remaining a vital voice in the racing world.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Giedo was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Giedo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Giedo's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the European Le Mans Series LMP2 championship in 2016 with the G-Drive Racing team.
- Finished on the LMP2 class podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans multiple times.
- Competed in the 2013 Formula One World Championship for the Caterham F1 team.
- Previously won the 2008 Formula Renault 3.5 Series championship.
Did You Know?
He is the son-in-law of Dutch billionaire Marcel Boekhoorn, a former part-owner of the Caterham F1 team.
He launched a successful legal case against the Sauber F1 team in 2015 over a contracted race seat he never got.
He owns and operates a high-end karting track in the Netherlands.
His full name is Giedo Gijsbertus Gerrit van der Garde.
“In Formula One, you fight for every tenth, even when you're at the back.”
