Timo Glock bid adieu to the Marussia F1 team after driving for them since its inception in 2009. The Banbury-based team issued a joint statement confirming Glock’s departure on their website. Glock debuted in Formula One with Team Jordan in 2004, after which he raced with Toyota from 2008 to 2009. He raced with Virgin Racing for the 2010 and 2011 season, which later got renamed to Marussia in 2012. 

John Booth, Team Principal of the Marussia F1 team, said, “Timo has made a very significant contribution to our team over the past three seasons, helping us to develop our package to the point where, for a large proportion of the 2012 season, we were holding 10th place in the Constructors’ Championship. We would like to thank Timo for working with us to reach this decision, especially as he had a valid contract, and also for the contribution he has made to our team.” 

Glock said, “I have had three excellent years with the Marussia F1 Team, during which I had the chance to actively participate in building and developing the team in its endeavors to succeed within the Formula One World Championship. I would like to wish the team good luck in navigating this next period and thank everyone for the great times we shared and the support I have received. Although it is not the path I expected to be taking, I am in fact very excited about what the future holds in terms of my own career and I hope to comment on that very soon.” 

The 30-year-old German finished 12th at the 2012 Singapore Grand Prix, which was his best finish for the team. His fate in Formula One is now limited to only two seats, one each in Sahara Force India and Caterham. 

The team is now left with British rookie driver Max Chilton, and no experienced driver to lead the team, and the question lies as to who Marussia will announce next to complete their 2013 driver line-up. Along with Marussia, Sahara Force India and Caterham too remain unconfirmed about their second driver. 

The launch dates of the 2013 car of Marussia Racing Team also remain unconfirmed along with Lotus F1 team who had announced a launch by end of January but not confirmed the date.