GP2 Champion
Timo Glock now looks almost certain to race for Toyota in
Formula 1 next year, after BMW-Sauber announced they have released him from his contract.
The German's future was debated at a meeting of
F1's Contract Recognition Board today (Friday), and though no official comment has been made of what was resolved,
BMW Motorsport director Dr Mario Theissen admitted Glock no longer featured as part of the Munich and Hinwil-based concern's plans for 2008, having tested for the team throughout the past two years.
“Timo Glock will no longer be driving for the BMW-Sauber F1 team next year,” international news agency
Reuters quotes Theissen as saying. “We have offered him the position of test-driver in our team but he has been given the opportunity to race for another team. We wish Timo every success in his future F1 career.”
That reference to ‘another team' is strongly believed to be
Toyota, who have made no secret of their interest in the 25-year-old over the past few months. Aside from his evident speed and experience – having already competed in the top flight once before, starting four grands prix for Jordan back in 2004 – Glock appeals to the Japanese manufacturer because of his nationality, with Germany its biggest European market and its F1 base being in Cologne.
If he does indeed sign for Toyota, Glock will take the place of countryman
Ralf Schumacher, alongside
Jarno Trulli who has raced for the squad since the end of 2004. An official announcement is expected next week.
The move will also close another door to
McLaren exile
Fernando Alonso, whose options appear now to have been narrowed down to
Red Bull Racing or – more likely – former team
Renault.
![Timo Glock - iSport International [pic credit: GP2 media]](http://pix.crash.net/thumbs/344595.jpg)
