Timo Glock will definitely miss the Brazilian Grand Prix next weekend, the Toyota team have confirmed, after it was revealed that the German driver had suffered a cracked vertebrae during his accident at the Japanese GP weekend.
Glock missed the Japanese race in Suzuka after crashing at the final corner during the qualifying session, sustaining a deep cut to his leg and necessitating an overnight stay in hospital. At the time it was thought that the cut was the limit of his injuries, though some reports indicated Glock was complaining of back pain.
But it has now been revealed that this pain was the result of a fractured vertebrae, which means that the driver will be unable to participate in the Brazilian race, and may struggle to be fit in time for the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
Kamui Kobayashi, the Toyota test driver who deputised for Glock in Japan's Friday practice when the German was suffering from a dose of man flu, will stand in for the Brazil weekend.
Toyota team boss John Howett announced the news on Sunday, saying that: "Obviously everyone in the team is very disappointed and feels for Timo. We wish him a very speedy recovery. Based on the initial diagnosis, we fully expected Timo to return in Brazil but unfortunately a different injury has been revealed which prevents that.
"He will remain in Germany to recover and we hope he can recuperate in time for Abu Dhabi, although at this stage the situation is not clear."
Although Kobayashi took part in the Friday sessions at Suzuka, Brazil will be his first full grand prix debut. He has struggled in GP2 this season, but won the earlier winter GP2 Asia series for the DAMS team.
"Kamui was the natural choice to step in and he proved in Suzuka that he is capable of holding his own," Howett grinned.
"It is a difficult task for him but he knows the team will give him its complete support and we know he is motivated to make the most of this unexpected opportunity."
Kobayashi is believed to be one of Toyota's options for a race seat in 2010.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
