 Profile
"Formula One has always been my goal," says Timo Glock. A dream he shares with many other up-and-coming young guns. However, nearly no other driver made a similarly focused effort for making it to Formula One as the today 24-year-old German. He caused a stir in every series he competed in so far and used to be a race-win contender right away.
In 2001, he secured the German Formula BMW title and afterwards, he charged across the higher single-seater categories at racing speed. In Formula 3, the GP2 Series and even in the American ChampCar World Series he made for a permanent impression. In 2004, Eddie Jordan offered him the chance of proving his skills in Formula One - and again Timo delivered in fine style. At first, as test driver, he impressed the engineers with his massive technical comprehension. When he was offered the opportunity to contest his maiden Grand Prix at Montreal, he also displayed the necessary fighting spirit by finishing seventh - and scoring two World Championship points.
In the 2004 season, Timo's team-mate was no other than Nick Heidfeld. And now, in 2007, the pairing is going to again work for the same squad. While Nick will battle it out for World Championship points and podium finishes, it will be Timo's task to support the team's GP regulars during the tests.
According to Timo, the fact that he has already contested Grand Prix races represents a major advantage. "I know the operational procedures and how you have to work," he explains. "I have got the experience it needs in certain testing situations. I know what the engineers want to hear, and I'm able to set consistent lap times." In 2007, he wants to make use of all these skills to help the team on the way to securing further successes. In the end, Timo Glock has succeeded in realising ultimate goal: to return to Formula One.
Career
Engine-powered vehicles have always been Timo Glock's passion - whether two wheels or four: As a little boy, he gained his first motor racing experience at the handle bar of a motocross bike. With just two years of karting experience under his belt, Timo made the next step and moved up to the Formula BMW ADAC Championship in 2000. One year later, he won the championship, clinching his first major title.
He subsequently passed the transition to other single-seater categories with flying colours. In 2002, Timo finished third in the German Formula 3 and in 2003, took fifth place in the Formula 3 Euro Series. It was therefore no surprise to find he was soon attracting the attention of the Formula One Team bosses. In 2004, when Eddie Jordan signed the young gun as his team's test and reserve driver, Timo made his debut in the pinnacle of motor racing. In his first race appearance at Montreal, he finished seventh - scoring two points straightaway. Three other races followed.
In 2005, Timo also showed his extraordinary skills in the ChampCar World Series: by the end of the season, he was the most successful newcomer and secured the "Rookie of the Year" title. Nevertheless, Formula One was still his ultimate goal, so he decided to move to the GP2 Series - part of the Formula One support programme - for the 2006 season. With two wins to his tally, he seemed to be on the way to finishing third overall, but in the season finale at Monza, an accident forced him to stop, and he had to settle for fourth position in the drivers' rankings.
In December 2006, BMW offered the 24-year-old the opportunity to make his F1 comeback, with Timo executing tests for the BMW Sauber F1 Team at Barcelona and Jerez. Again he made a striking impression - and was signed as fourth driver for the 2007 season.
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