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After receiving a 25-second time penalty following the Belgian Grand Prix, Toyota’s Timo Glock was eventually classified in ninth. Glock, however, enjoyed the thrill of driving at Spa-Francorchamps so much that he retains his affection for the Belgian circuit. We caught up with the German driver after Sunday’s event to ask him about his routine over a race weekend, find out a few tips about the season’s best nightlife and discover how he relaxes after a Grand Prix…
Q: We were in Spa this weekend, what do you associate with this circuit?
Timo Glock: Fun! It’s one of the best circuits in the world for me. It is a real driver’s track. And that is independent of the result. Sure, I would have liked to have finished in the points - obviously, it was not our game this weekend - but the enjoyment of driving here does compensate for that.
Q: You don’t take to the track until Friday morning, but when do you like to fly in?
TG: Usually on Wednesday evening for a European race, although for the Belgian Grand Prix I actually drove to the track.
Q: Do you make an effort to discover your surroundings at a race, or do you stick to the airport-hotel-track-airport itinerary?
TG: It’s nice to see some of the city if I have time, but I am usually pretty busy over a weekend. To be honest, I’m not sure there’s really much to discover around Spa - apart from trees!
Q: What’s your exercise regime over a race weekend? Does it vary according to the race location, demands of the circuit etc?
TG: I do a little training with my physio, maybe go for a run or play some tennis but nothing too intensive.
Q: What’s your preferred accommodation at races - city hotel, hotel near the circuit, your own motorhome near the paddock?
TG: I have a new motorhome so I enjoyed having that at Spa. It’s great to have a place of your own close to the track.
Q: Is there anything you have to have provided in your hotel room or any luxuries you always bring with you from home?
TG: Nothing special but I do like to have music to listen to.
Q: Do you enjoy entertaining friends and family during a race weekend?
TG: It’s nice if my girlfriend can be here on a weekend, and having a few close friends at the track is also pretty fun - that’s been possible a few times this season.
Q: Do you get the chance to go out and socialize on Friday and Saturday night?
TG: Not really, no - I prefer to spend time with my engineers to improve the car and work out our strategy.
Q: Any drivers you particularly like hanging out with?
TG: I quite like to play poker with some of the guys, like Robert (Kubica), Tonio (Liuzzi) and Fernando (Alonso).
Q: Your favorite race for nightlife?
TG: I guess it has to be Canada because Montreal is a great city and I always seem to have great results there.
Q: What’s the best night out you’ve had at a Grand Prix? And have you ever overslept the next morning?
TG: We had a pretty fun night out in Montreal after I finished fourth there this year but probably the best was after the GP2 race in Valencia last year, when I won the championship - that was great fun, and luckily I didn’t need to wake up early in the morning.
Q: What do you have for breakfast on a race Sunday?
TG: My doctor prepares special muesli so I always have that for breakfast, with some fruit juice.
Q: How much do you drink over a race weekend? And what?
TG: For a hot race like Malaysia you really have to drink a lot because of the amount you sweat during the race, but in Belgium that’s not as much of a problem. However, you still have to keep your fluids up and I drink quite a bit, usually a special solution with salts and minerals.
Q: How do you spend the morning on race Sunday?
TG: I relax as much as possible, although I also have meetings with my engineers during the morning to discuss race strategy, that kind of thing. It’s fun to watch the GP2 races so I always try to do that.
Q: How do you like to get to the circuit on Sunday morning? Do you drive yourself?
TG: Normally I am happy to drive myself.
Q: How do you like to spend the hour or so before the race? Any superstitions or pre-race rituals you always go through to bring you luck?
TG: I’m not really superstitious but I do always get in the car from the left-hand side - once I got in from the right and crashed so I haven’t done that since. In the hour before the race I just get myself prepared, try to relax and focus on the race, maybe listen to some music.
Q: Do you have a lucky charm?
TG: Not yet.
Q: What do you do to stay calm as you’re sat on the grid awaiting the formation lap?
TG: You are just so focused on the race that you don’t have the chance to be too nervous. I’ve been racing since I was a little kid so I’m used to the situation.
Q: How do you wind down after the race?
TG: With a bottle of champagne from the podium if things go well!
Q: If things don’t go your way and you retire early, do you prefer to get away as soon as possible, or hang out and watch the rest of the race?
TG: I like to watch the race because even though I am a Formula One driver, I am also a Formula One fan. Anyway we have a race debrief after the race so I need to stay for that, especially if things have not worked out well because then we need to find solutions.
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