After a disappointing season with Ralf Schumacher leaving Panasonic Toyota team and Franck Montagny retiring from the third driver position, F1 Toyota has moved on with a lot of great things to look forward to. It’s like getting the dirt out of Dodge mud flaps.
A few days ago, Panasonic Toyota made their greatest move so far! They officially acquired and signed up reigning GP2 Series champion Timo Glock! Timo has aready signed a multi-year contract with the team and Toyota F1 hopes to have a brighter tomorrow with their newest driver.
Here are some quotes from Timo Glock courtesy of my source MotorSport.com:
Timo Glock:
"It’s a great feeling to be a Formula 1 race driver again and I am really looking forward to this new challenge. 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 1 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 1 race driver. I believe this experience has made me stronger as a driver and as a person.
"Of course, to return to Formula 1 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 1, my next target is to work towards making 2008 a successful season for myself and Panasonic Toyota Racing."