Glock Gone?

[ghinzani]

Big rumours on the net he has walked or been replaced at Marussia. My opinion was he only ever was there to make the rentadrivers look good. Who will replace him? Narain? Senna?

[wolfhound]

Found it on sky its a surprise but you try something and it does not work out them maybe it is time to move on.

http://www1.skysports.com/formula-1/...e-German-media

[kipper]

I think it is a bit disapointing if Glock is leaving the team, although it is perhaps not suprising given that Marussia failed to finish in the top 10 and as such the budget may not be as high as it could be.

As to who replaces him, I would imagine that as the team will be running Max Chilton, they would prefer an experienced driver. Whilst Kovaleinen would be a good replacement, his lack of budget probably rules him out. As such, it is likely to be one of the common names that get circulated - namely Senna or Karthikeyan. Alguersauri woul be a good option if he has a reasonable amount of money behind him. A bit of a wildcard could be Petrov (who I don't think has been confirmed at Caterham) for his nationality may fit with Marussia's brand. That said, Caterham is probably a better bet.

[kipper]

In a bit of mindless speculation, it is curious to note that Sebastien Buemi has tweeted that he will be making an importance announcement soon.

[p-matt]

Very sad for Glock. Was kind of hoping that he might be departing for Force India, but that's very unlikely.

I would have thought Petrov would be the most likely to replace him. Maybe Senna.

Does Buemi have money behind him?

[chunterer]

Well that's the end of Timo's F1 career unless someone's paying him to drive elsewhere!

Or Marussia's in more trouble than anyone thought and he's been told there's no drive anymore?

Shame the signs were there at Toyota that he was becoming really quite good.

Still, i'm pretty sure he'll be quick in whatever else he does.

[chunder]

Problem is, that time at Toyota was a long time ago now, and since then he has often looked a bit bewildered at Virgin whatever it is!

He has quite often been out paced by team mates, and really, I never understod him being at MArussia, he is or was a top level driver, surely better off going to sports cars or DTM, where he might get a chance to get back in again at a higher level

[Marbot]

It only makes you wonder why Force India have held off naming their second driver. Glock would be good there.

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by chunder

Problem is, that time at Toyota was a long time ago now, and since then he has often looked a bit bewildered at Virgin whatever it is!

He has quite often been out paced by team mates, and really, I never understod him being at MArussia, he is or was a top level driver, surely better off going to sports cars or DTM, where he might get a chance to get back in again at a higher level

Not 100% sure what to make of it but on Twitter Dirk Mueller welcomed Glock "to the club".

[W.A Trichlorostyrene]

Strange moment to leave if that's his own doing, Marussia showed big progress in 2012 and should carry on in 2013 after getting their KERS.

Still might be too early for points, but they'll be a serious treat for Catherham.

[p-matt]

Crash seem to think Razia is favourite for the seat. Maybe they are competing with Caterham to see who can have the most uninspiring driver lineup for 2013. Marussia looking good for that if Razia gets it.

Strange to think that Glock will never have raced with KERS despite being in F1 since it was introduced four years ago.

[wolfhound]

Timo Glock leaving Marussia has been confirmed.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105209

I suspect he has something lined up that will be announced in due course otherwise why leave.

[spider]

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105209 - confirmed by Marussia.

Not too surprised. 2013 is being written-off by Marussia and Caterham quite clearly. Having missed out on 10th spot it's not that surprising I guess.

Chilton's believed to have brought £10 million to the team and Razia is well-backed too, so this way they'll plug the gap missing out on 10th will leave.

What a rubbish line-up that would be though...Max and Razia...mildly uninspiring.

[Sodemo]

No more Glockdog?

[wolfhound]

Why is Razia top of the list when Petrov, Senna & Kobyashi all have backing not to mention Kovalinan also available. All have at least 2 years experience and should do a solid job.

[p-matt]

Glock, Kovalainen and Kobayashi all gone. And if rumours are to be believed Paul di Resta isn't guaranteed his seat at Force India either.

Tough times for the midfield drivers that can't bring budget.

[Marbot]

Just how costly was Petrov's pass on Pic during the Brazilian GP? It certainly didn't do Pic any harm!*

* This post is in no way intending to start a conspiracy.

[p-matt]

Originally Posted by Marbot

Just how costly was Petrov's pass on Pic during the Brazilian GP? It certainly didn't do Pic any harm!*

* This post is in no way intending to start a conspiracy.

Pic didn't have much to defend with, but of course he would have let Petrov through to help his new team in 2013.

I wonder what would have happened had Glock not been hit by Vergne after the safety car. He probably would have got Petrov's 11th place.

[Thaw Daggerslash]

A real shame. I was looking forward to him humiliating Chilton this year. Maybe Chilton Sr paid a bit more so that wouldn't happen?

I'm getting increasingly fed-up with Formula One at the moment. This is a clear example if ever it was needed that F1 is no longer about the best drivers in the world, but simply the richest.

I wish someone in F1 with a bit of sense would wake up to this before the sport becomes an even bigger laughing-stock.

[strider]

Originally Posted by spider

[Chilton's believed to have brought £10 million to the team and Razia is well-backed too, so this way they'll plug the gap missing out on 10th will leave.

What a rubbish line-up that would be though...Max and Razia...mildly uninspiring.

The figure I've heard for Chilton is not £10 million, but £15 million.

As for Razia, he is total rubbish in F1 terms.

It's interesting that since the decision was announced sever drivers have said on Twitter how sad they are to see him go, e.g. Jenson Button, Mark Webber and Checo Perez, also all good guys.

[ECW Dan Selby]

I'm suddenly starting to feel the whole 'we might just be better off with 20 cars' thing...

Those 2 teams just arn't likeable anymore. They're just trying to stay afloat and taking money over talent. It's not as if it's even allowing the talent to have a shot at F1 really, is it?

How come the young talent never get the money? Quiet odd!

[bella]

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

How come the young talent never get the money? Quiet odd!

because *really* nobody wants to sponsor anybody in anything below the top 4 or so f1 teams in the whole of motorsport. given the choice between putting the money back into the company or taking it out for the investors/directors/shareholders, and handing it over to some oik so he can go and play at driving racing cars, many would rather have a go themselves, pay for their child to have a go themselves or simply take the money.

so you have to have a parent who is the head of a big business, most likely not involved in engineering but in the service or financial industry. or someone with ill-gotten gains. which leaves a very limited range of possibly motorsport participants.

i agree with strider about razia. nice lad, but shouldn't be allowed near a f1 car.

[ECW Dan Selby]

Fair - thanks for the response!

Selby

[bella]

it's wrong though, i agree with you on that. but i guess it brings home what motorsport below f1 level really is. sometimes people forget and think it's like football where if you're a good player you'll win out. sadly, not. it's more like trying to participate in a minority summer olympic sport, or any winter one. nobody will put their own money behind talent unless it's their own.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by ECW Dan Selby

They're just trying to stay afloat and taking money over talent.

It's the $300 million that the top teams are spending on their efforts that require the lesser teams, and that's not just Caterham and Marussia, to need pay drivers. Kobayashi wouldn't have found the need to raise £6 million to try and keep his seat at Sauber (a team arguably better than Mercedes) if that wasn't the case.