Vitaly Petrov, executioner of Timo Glock

While it had held a solid 10th place in the constructors’ championship for several weeks, thanks to Timo Glock’s impressive 12th position in the Singapore Grand Prix, Marussia was overtaken in the final race of the season in Brazil, when Vitaly Petrov secured 11th place, allowing Caterham to move ahead of its main rival in the championship standings.

For Timo Glock, this event was the trigger for his current situation, namely his separation from Marussia, mainly for financial reasons: « After the last race in Brazil, I felt bad because we were really counting on the possibility of retaining the 10th place in the championship. We were well on our way to achieving this, especially as I was close to the tenth place before the safety car came out. My former teammate [Charles Pic] still had it in his hands [Pic was then in 11th place], but, for some reason, he couldn’t keep it, and that was the moment when I started to be concerned about the situation. »

With the financial loss following the team’s ranking in the championship (indeed, only the top ten in the standings receive a share of the commercial rights of the discipline), Glock’s situation, as a driver paid by Marussia, became precarious: The team came to talk to me and openly described the situation. We all sat down together and considered several possibilities. I then realized that the team’s economic situation was really complicated, and that it would be difficult to take the expected step forward. The team now has a good foundation, and I believe the new car will be a step forward, but I also know what it costs to make a big step, and that’s why I then thought about my future.

Glock insists that Marussia and he parted ways by mutual agreement, without animosity: « It’s really a shame because I put so much heart and soul into this team, but I hope it moves forward. I know it would be much worse financially if I had stayed with them. There are a lot of people who have invested endless efforts, day and night, to make this teamwork, so I keep my fingers crossed and hope things will improve. I can only watch on TV now, but I would do it with satisfaction when I see that they make progress. »

That said, even though he recently signed a multi-year contract with BMW to participate in the DTM championship, the German driver does not rule out a possible return to Formula 1: « I am always open to offers, but, for the moment, I am fully focused on my commitment with BMW and try not to think about what might happen in 2014 or 2015. The last few weeks have been very intense, with the separation, the DTM test in Valencia, and signing the contract with BMW, and right now, I don’t have time to think about Formula 1. »