Cracked vertebra puts Glock out of Brazil GP

Timo Glock will miss the Brazilian Grand Prix next weekend after medical checks revealed that he cracked a vertebra in his huge qualifying accident in Japan.

Glock had a gash on his his leg following his accident, but according to a Toyota team statement, "subsequent medical checks in Germany have revealed a cracked vertebra. Doctors have therefore ruled him out of this weekend's race."

This is slightly surprising as one would imagine that the FIA medics would have wanted him X rayed in Japan after such a massive accident and an injury like this would surely have been picked up.

Kamui Kobayashi will replace Glock at Interlagos. The Japanese driver took part in Friday practice at Suzuka when Glock had a bout of flu, which came and went very quickly.

Toyota F1 President John Howett said: "Obviously everyone in the team is very disappointed and feels for Timo; we wish him a very speedy recovery. Based on the initial diagnosis, we fully expected Timo to return in Brazil but unfortunately a different injury has been revealed which prevents that.

"He will remain in Germany to recover and we hope he can recuperate in time for Abu Dhabi, although at this stage the situation is not clear.

"Kamui was the natural choice to step in and he proved in Suzuka that he is capable of holding his own. It is a difficult task for him but he knows the team will give him its complete support and we know he is motivated to make the most of this unexpected opportunity."

It's not for me to doubt the veracity of Toyota's statement, but I felt in Japan that it might have been an idea for the team to give Kobayashi a whole weekend in the car, instead of doing things by the back door and just letting him out on Friday.

Maybe Glock really has got a cracked vertebra, but clearly there is a strong desire to give Kobayashi a run in the car and if it might make the difference for Toyota in getting support from the main board for the ongoing F1 programme then they should just do whatever it takes.