Glock feels ‘positive pressure’

Toyota’s new signing Timo Glock has played down the pressure he will face on his return to Formula 1 this season.

The reigning GP2 champion, who contested four grands prix for Jordan in 2004, will team up with Jarno Trulli at Toyota following Ralf Schumacher’s departure from the team.

Speaking at the launch of the new TF108 car in Cologne on Thursday, Glock said he will be starting from ‘ground zero’ after his four-year absence from F1 competition.

“At the moment I’m still quite relaxed but when I’m in the plane to Australia I’m sure I will be excited," said the 25-year-old German, who was BMW’s test and reserve driver last year.

“It will be different because in F1 I’m driving against the 21 best drivers, and Jarno is really good in qualifying.

“I stepped out of F1, had to come back, and at the end it was a hard time. Now it’s like a zero line and I’m very excited to join the team."

Despite his lack of F1 racing experience, and a rapid team-mate in Trulli, Glock is undaunted by the challenge ahead.

“I don’t feel the pressure, I feel more the motivation," he said.

“The first time I was here, looked around the facility and had my first test, I was more motivated.

“I feel positive pressure maybe, but more motivation to bring the team back [to success]."

Glock is aiming to emulate fellow GP2 graduates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, who won the feeder series title in 2005 and 2006 respectively and have proved their skills in F1.

“I think in the end the GP2 title is quite important – when you look at Nico and Lewis, they both performed quite well and that’s my goal too," he said.