Glock staying with Virgin as they look to build on lessons learned

The 28-year-old German cut a frustrated figure at times this year as the Dinnington-based team suffered a multitude of teething problems, most notably when, at the Australian Grand Prix, it was discovered the car's fuel tank was not big enough to be able to complete the race.

That led to speculation he would be leaving before next season, but he yesterday confirmed he would honour the second year of his two-year contract.

"I'm excited," he told www.virginracing.com. "I am definitely driving for Virgin Racing.

"There has been a lot of speculation about me wanting to leave the team, but it is not about leaving a team, it is about wanting to do better and keep moving forward.

"It is not just 99.9 per cent certain that I will stay, as has been reported – it is 100 per cent certain that I am staying.

"Since the beginning I have had a long-term contract with the team and I said then that I was doing this to help build a team for the future.

"It would not be possible to do that in one year from nothing.

"Plus I think with everything we have learned this year we can take a very good step up next season.

"This is a great team of people who have given blood, sweat and tears to our first season.

"Some people haven't seen that with their own eyes, like I have, so it's easy to criticise or be cynical."

The future of Glock's 2010 team-mate, Lucas di Grassi, looks bleak though, after a difficult maiden F1 season and reports he has lost his funding.

Glock said: "I think it is right to take our time and make sure we have the best combination of youth and experience, plus make sure we have the best information going back into the team at testing and races to ensure we can develop as quickly as we want to.

"I don't think we will have to wait too much longer for that news - hopefully before Christmas."