Toyota’s Glock bounces back with maiden podium

Two weeks ago Toyota’s Timo Glock left the German Grand Prix in an ambulance following a high-speed crash, but a fortnight later Glock will depart the Hungaroring feeling as if he’s walking on air, after clinching his first Formula One podium.

A brilliant performance during qualifying saw the German start the Hungarian Grand Prix from fifth. And even better pace during the race allowed the 26 year-old to finish second ahead of a closing Kimi Raikkonen (third) in the Ferrari, Renault’s Fernando Alonso (fourth) and McLaren’s Lewis Hamilton (fifth).

“What an incredible feeling,” exclaimed Glock. “To get such a good result in my first year is fantastic so a huge thank you to all the team, including the engineers, mechanics and everyone at the factory. I knew from qualifying that we had good speed and we've looked strong all weekend. Today I made a good start and gained a place into the first corner.

“I had a really good car and everything went perfectly until the last stint on the soft tyres. I was struggling a lot and soon I had Kimi behind me. But I knew from last year here in GP2, when I was stuck in the midfield in a really good car, how hard it is to pass here. So when I saw him in the mirrors I knew I couldn't afford any mistakes. This result more than makes up for Hockenheim and now we must keep picking up regular points until the end of the season.”

Glock’s second place was also Toyota's best result of the year so far and team principal Tadashi Yamashina was equally thrilled. "I really can't find the words to celebrate this result,” he said. “Today Timo did a fantastic race. We saw immediately that his car was quick and and his third stint was almost perfect.

“He was under threat from Kimi but he was quick in the third sector and he was able to fend him off. So this is a stunning performance and my thanks go out to the whole team and everyone working in the factory. I'm very appreciative of all their hard work and next we will aim for the centre of the podium.”

With Glock’s eight points and team mate Jarno Trulli taking another two for his seventh-place finish, Toyota consolidated their fourth place in the constructors' standings. On 35 points, they are four ahead of nearest rivals Renault.