Timo Glock will keep his F1 seat with Virgin in 2011

German Timo Glock will stay at Virgin Racing for a second season in 2011. Glock has decided to honour the two-year deal he signed last December but his team-mate Lucas di Grassi's future at Virgin remains in doubt. "Yes, I am definitely driving for Virgin Racing," Glock, 28, told the team's website. "I'm excited. "There's been speculation about me wanting to leave the team but it is not about leaving, it is about wanting to do better and keep moving forward." Glock had to handle his frustration during a challenging first season for the UK-based team who joined Lotus and Hispania as F1's new teams in 2010. Virgin struggled in the early part of the season with reliability problems and most ignominiously when the car's fuel tank was found to be too small to finish a race. Glock has previously stopped short of confirming he would stay with Virgin, and this week was quoted in a German newspaper saying he was "99.9% certain" he would stick with the team. But on Friday he said: "[It was] extremely challenging and very hard work - for the whole team - 2010 was a tough test for us all but we survived and it was ultimately very rewarding for me. SARAH HOLT'S BLOG Expectations are already building that 2011 could be another classic year, matching events this season

"It is 100% certain that I am staying. I have a long-term contract with the team and I said then that I was doing this to help build a team for the future. "I think everything we have learned this year we can take a very good step up next season." Di Grassi made his F1 debut with Virgin last season but the Brazilian's place in the team remains uncertain after his lost his funding mid-season. Jerome D'Ambrosio joined Virgin as a reserve in September and the team used some Friday first practice sessions to gauge his potential. The Belgian was thought to be favourite for a race seat in 2011 but the team are yet to make their final decision, however, team principal John Booth said they hoped to do so before Christmas. Virgin have other considerations to take on board after Russia car manufacturer Marussia Motors bought a controlling interest in the team last month. The team will be rebranded as Marussia Virgin Racing in 2011 and the Russian injection of cash has prompted speculation that the team could employ a Russian driver. Glock added on the driver situation: "I think it is right to take our time and make sure we have the best combination of youth and experience. "Plus make sure we have the best information going back into the team at testing and races to ensure we can develop as quickly as we want to and keep moving forwards. "I don't think we will have to wait too much longer for the news."



Bookmark with: Delicious

Digg

reddit

Facebook

StumbleUpon What are these? E-mail this to a friend Printable version