“Timo was initially diagnosed with only a minor cut to his leg following his accident in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, but subsequent medical checks in Germany have revealed a cracked vertebra. Doctors have therefore ruled him out of this weekend's race,” said a press release from Toyota on Sunday.
Until Glock will recuperate from his injury, his place in the Toyota lineup will be taken by GP2 driver and team's reserve occupant Kamui Kobayashi. The 23-year old Japanese driver has replaced Glock previously, during the Japanese GP practice session, when an illness prevented the German from making the cockpit of the TF109.
Glock's medical condition for the long run is yet to be investigated by the doctors, as Toyota is not sure if their driver will get to compete for them in 2009 all together. A decision about his potential return in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is yet to be taken by team president John Howett.
“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,” said Howett.
“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. Kamui was the natural choice to step in and he proved in Suzuka that he is capable of holding his own,” added the Toyota president.
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