Clock starting to tick for Glock

The German considers quitting Toyota, but he needs to make a decision quickly with the market full of available driving talent

SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 27:  Timo Glock of Germany and Toyota drives on his way to finishing second during the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit on September 27, 2009 in Singapore.  (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***  GYI0058499755.jpg
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TOKYO // Despite a podium finish in Singapore, Timo Glock is uncertain which Formula One team he will race for next season. But he knows another good showing for Toyota in Suzuka on Sunday would certainly raise his profile. "The teams are looking around, the drivers are looking around, so it's quite an interesting period in Formula One," the German Glock said.

"A podium like we had in Singapore does show what I can do." The driver boosted Toyota's hopes for this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix by taking second place on the floodlit streets of Singapore. However, Glock knows his 2010 contract option may not be taken up by Toyota. He said there was still a chance he could race for the team again next year, but he had also held talks with several of their rivals.

A Toyota Motor Sports spokesman said Glock and his teammate Jarno Trulli were still under consideration for 2010. "We haven't closed the door on Timo and he hasn't closed the door on us. He remains a possibility for 2010, as does Jarno," the spokesman said yesterday. Toyota's Japanese rivals Honda quit the sport in December and BMW are pulling out at the end of this season, creating a wealth of available driving talent for next year's remaining teams.

"The market is a bit full at the moment with drivers but my possibilities are quite good," Glock said. Toyota are still chasing their first win in Formula One since entering the sport in 2002. The team principal Tadashi Yamashina said Glock's performance was a step in the right direction ahead of Suzuka. A victory there could put an end to speculation about the Cologne-based team's future, despite a commitment to stay in the sport until at least 2012.

The Italian Trulli has not yet arrived in Japan. Toyota said he had been suffering from a fever since before the Singapore race but was expected to drive in Suzuka. Rain is expected on Friday, a factor that could help Glock. "I've always been quick in wet conditions, it's always down to the driver," said the 27-year-old, who was third in April's rain-shortened race in Malaysia. "To be on the podium in Singapore was great, to be on the podium in Malaysia was great, but to be on the podium in Suzuka or win the race would be a mega dream.

"I would stay four or five days longer in Japan having a party with Toyota people." * Reuters