[Driver] Glock to Manor.

[Taprobane]

BBC sport has a breaking news story that Glock has signed to lead Manor.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/moto...ne/8363770.stm

Suppose this takes him out of the running for Mclaren/Mercedes.

[Racenut7]

http://f1.gpupdate.net/en/news/2009/...anor-for-2010/

[elspethhardie]

Is this going to be a dog house story?

[Graz]

Strange and risky move given the other options he seemed to have...unless he didn't actually have any other option.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by elspethhardie

Is this going to be a dog house story?

"Glock to drive dog of a car" "Glock hounded into signing for Manor".

[old man]

Interesting signing, so far as I recall there is never much talk of Glock bringing lots of money. I must admit to some scepticism about the size of the Virgin budget but this may prove the point

[Hawkwood]

Should be good for him. I think Manor's car will be excellent (I have alot of faith in Wirth), but there are rumors that Virgin may not be putting all the much money in.
The best of the new boys though

[Bononi]

Let's hope it all goes fine. I just can't see any of the new teams doing well.

[Marbot]

Originally Posted by Bononi

Let's hope it all goes fine. I just can't see any of the new teams doing well.

I'm not sure about that. In 2008 Honda had a real dog of a car, and then suddenly they have a championship winning car. McLaren won the drivers title in 2008, and then this season finished fourth in the championship behind an equally poor Ferrari,and both cars relied heavily on a KERS to even achieve that. Many of the new teams have good people in them, who know what they are doing. Perhaps even more-so than some of the regulars.

[Bononi]

Originally Posted by Marbot

I'm not sure about that. In 2008 Honda had a real dog of a car, and then suddenly they have a championship winning car.

"Suddenly"... I'm pretty sure that Ross Brawn has one or two remarks abou this "suddenly" from Honda to Brawn.

And sure you are right.

BUT

I just hope it all goes well. I just can't not see the new teams doing well.

[Burnsie]

Only time will tell if it's a good move for Glock, I'm just glad to see him secure a seat in F1 - he's definitely deserving of a drive (hopefully in a car more competitive that Toyota were able to provide him with).

Originally Posted by Marbot

McLaren won the drivers title in 2008, and then this season finished fourth in the championship behind an equally poor Ferrari...

Are you sure about that?

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Burnsie

Only time will tell if it's a good move for Glock, I'm just glad to see him secure a seat in F1 - he's definitely deserving of a drive (hopefully in a car more competitive that Toyota were able to provide him with).

Excellent summary Burnsie. Glock, I feel was much better than generally allowed to show at Toyota. The car was clearly difficult to dial in to all circuits (something I felt contributed to his sometimes very poor qualifiying results) and they also slipped backwards compared to others over the course of last season which didn't help his cause. Also Glock and Trulli rarely performed at the same level, only at about 4 rounds were they on a similar, let alone competitive pace and I don't know whether that was car or driver led, I suspect it was car led.

However after a slump, Singapore was a timely reminder of what he can do given the right opportunity.

As you say, whether a new team with questionable size of budget can provide him with that opportunity remains to be seen. Maybe with a 2 year deal he can do enough whilst continuing to develop as a driver package, to warrant signing for a 'big team' in 2012.

[MrTTraces]

Originally Posted by Burnsie

Only time will tell if it's a good move for Glock, I'm just glad to see him secure a seat in F1 - he's definitely deserving of a drive (hopefully in a car more competitive that Toyota were able to provide him with).

I Think this is a good move for him. He may have had other offers but maybe he feels this team has the best environment to work in thats available.

Wish him all the best in his new team.

[strider]

I think this is interesting because of the possibilities that Glock has turned down by going to Manor.

For a while everyone said he was going to join Kubica at Renault, but I think Timo has worked out that there is no certainty that Renault will continue, at least in its present guise.

Then he was in the equation for the second seat at McLaren or Mercedes. Despite being German, I don't think he was ever in the running at McLaren. At best he would have been 4th in line behind Button, Kimi and Heidfeld. Mercedes would be a better option, because there his opposition would have been Heidfeld or, maybe, Sutil, but if he wants to be in a team of racers rather than bean counters, Manor is the best bet.

[Born Racer]

I knew when Toyota let him off the leash that they were probably leaving.

Manor needed an experienced driver, and he's come on in leaps and bounds, so I'm glad he's getting a run with them.

[dampsquid]

According to BBC Radio Sheffield, di Grassi is going to be announced as Glocks team mate.

Quote from BBC.co.uk

"His team-mate will be the Brazilian rookie Lucas di Grassi, BBC Radio Sheffield has reported."

I didnt realise BBC Radio Sheffield had a big involvement in Brazilian F1 drivers but you learn something new every day !!

[strider]

Radio Sheffield has a close connection with Manor and Manor have a close connection with Di Grassi.

[Jamesy-18]

Interesting. Manor is my local team (only a short journey into town and you are in Sheffield) so I guess in a way I'll be routing for these guys.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Marbot

McLaren won the drivers title in 2008, and then this season finished fourth in the championship behind an equally poor Ferrari

Actually, McLaren beated Ferrari and Hamilton defeated Kimi. Massa's crash was the reason, but anyway.

Originally Posted by Marbot

Mr Haug could get Vettel or Schumacher in that seat for less money than Kimi wants.

Schumacher won't ever return just for the money. Btw, is Vettel that much expensive???

[Alan Raine]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Btw, is Vettel that much expensive???

He is as far as Red Bull are concerned!

[Peter Ford]

Hope glock hasnt made a career ending move,because having all the teams teams in f1 in 2010,no-one(including the team) wouldnt know how good or bad they will be.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Peter Ford

Hope glock hasnt made a career ending move,because having all the teams teams in f1 in 2010,no-one(including the team) wouldnt know how good or bad they will be.

Thinking about it, it's looking more likely that he got his name down on any contract before it was too late....

I'm wondering if he's now looking at Brawn/Merc relative problems in driver choice for the other seat now Button's off and thinking four letter expletives............