Timo Glock has been in Formula 1 since 2004, but 2008 was first season starting as full-time driver. His previous appearances have been for Jordan in 2004 when Giorgio Pantano stepped aside after contract disputes with Jordan. Timo is also one of the few F1 drivers who scored a point in their debut F1 race.

Although he broke into F1 in an unusual manner, he has a good record in the lower levels of motor racing. Starting in 1988 with karting, Timo has seen it all. From US Champ Car series to being the reigning GP2 champion. But 2008 was all about F1.

Glock was the second test driver for BMW in 2006, a season when he also had impressive showings in GP2. Racing with iSport, he finished fourth after an average start to the season. This led to his re-signing in 2007 when he won the GP2 title. Although he was tipped to take over the driving responsibility for BMW after Robert Kubica's crash in Canada in 2007, Sebastian Vettel beat him to the seat. Nonetheless, Vettel's subsequent move to Toro Rosso late in 2007 saw Glock being elevated to the main test driver position for BMW.

For 2008, he was the second driver for Toyota alongside Jarno Trulli, replacing the ineffective yet expensive Ralf Schumacher. The going wasn't easy since Glock was associated with numerous teams through 2007 and his eligibility for Toyota was questioned by BMW. Eventually, the Contract Recognition Board ruled that he was free to sign with Toyota and Glock has now signed a three-year deal with the team.

Expectations from Glock aren't too high, although he has shown the pace and control required to excel in Formula 1. Glock does aim to emulate the achievements of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton in his first full season. "I have been lucky enough to race and succeed in several different championships in my career but my goal has always been to become a full-time Formula One race driver. I believe this experience has made me stronger as a driver and as a person. Of course, to return to Formula One racing as GP2 Series champion is a real honour and we've all seen how well Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have performed as champions so that is very encouraging. I hope I can also make a strong impression next season."

For a rookie driver, Timo Glock did have a decent 2008. Of course, the yardstick for measuring debutante success has been rewritten by Hamilton, nonetheless, Glock can be happy with 2008 considering the vast difference in the cars of the two drivers. He has tasted podium success and seen the heartbreak and frustration of retiring from a race. If the world at large can come to terms with the fact that not everyone can be within a point of the title in their first season, then Glock's 10th position is a good start.

2009 was quite like a repeat telecast for Timo in terms of performance. In 2008 he'd scored 25 points, finishing tenth overall, in 2009 he scored 24 and again ended up with the tenth spot! With a podium in the rain-drenched Malaysian GP, and a nice performance in Singapore where he finished second, Timo's season was a little paler than he'd hoped it would be.

With a change to Virgin in 2010, under a capable leadership of John Booth, Timo Glock expected the results that he has been so diligently working towards. He had the determination to go the distance but without a car to back him, his dreams died.

Pointless, at the end of the season, Timo’s shift to Virgin didn’t look like a good idea. But a brand new season and with more experience to back him and his team, 2011 might be the season he finally reaps the rewards for his persistent effort.