I snubbed big boys to be lord of Manor, says Glock
GERMAN racer Timo Glock insists he turned down bigger teams before signing up to spearhead Manor GP’s debut season in Formula One.
The 27-year-old, left without a drive when Toyota announced its withdrawal from the sport, has agreed a two-year deal with the option of a third season.
And Glock says Manor, who could be renamed Virgin F1 if a rumoured sponsorship with Richard Branson’s mega-brand materialises, were far from his only suitors.
Mercedes GP, formerly Brawn, and Renault were linked with Glock, but the former GP2 champion said the overall package was what lured him to the newcomers.
“I had several options for 2010, some of them with more established teams,” he said. “Every driver has the same overall objective – to win the world championship one day – but the way I want to succeed is to be part of the process of building a team and to play a key role in developing the car. This is why the opportunity with Manor is so exciting for me.”
Glock, who finished 10th in last season’s drivers’ championship, is expected to be partnered by Brazilian former Renault and Honda test driver Lucas di Grassi.
He added: “What I liked most is that this a real racing team run by true racers. The team may be small and new but it has big ambitions.”