Current GP2 Champion Timo Glock has left BMW and will be racing for the Toyota team next season.
There was some confusion over the driver s contract BMW were intending for Glock to be their test and reserve driver for 2008, having performed the same duties during the 2007 season. Both teams had to await on a ruling from Formula One s contract recognition board after contracts clashed. The Board ruled that he was free to leave BMW and drive for Toyota.
Glock is no stranger to Formula 1 having completed in four races for Jordan during the 2004 season. His best finish was seventh in the Canadian Grand Prix where he picked up two points for the team.
“It’s a great feeling to be a Formula One race driver again and I am really looking forward to this new challenge,” Glock said. “I have worked hard over the past few years to get this opportunity and I must say I am grateful to Panasonic Toyota Racing for having faith in me.
“From what I have seen of the team at the track I am confident we will be able to work well together to move forward. Even though I have not raced in Formula One since 2004, I have tested quite regularly so I expect it will take very little time for me to get back in the groove.”
“I have been lucky enough to race and succeed in several different championships in my career but my goal has always been to become a full-time Formula One race driver. I believe this experience has made me stronger as a driver and as a person,” he continued.
“Of course, to return to Formula One racing as GP2 Series champion is a real honour and we’ve all seen how well Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have performed as champions so that is very encouraging. I hope I can also make a strong impression next season. Now I have achieved my goal of returning to Formula One, my next target is to work towards making 2008 a successful season for myself and Panasonic Toyota Racing.”
Toyota team principal Tadashi Yamashina has confident in Glock s skills. “It is with great pleasure that we confirm Timo Glock will race for Panasonic Toyota Racing in 2008,” he explained. “I am convinced Timo has the potential to help this team move forward and achieve its aims.
“Timo has great experience of motorsport in several different categories and he reinforced his reputation by winning the highly competitive GP2 Series, which we have already seen is fantastic preparation for Formula One. He has demonstrated a fighting spirit and good race craft in GP2 so we believe he is the right man for the job.”
