Germany’s Timo Glock has left Marussia with immediate effect in a decision driven by financial reasons and the Formula One team’s need for money in a tough economic climate.

The Russian-licensed team said yesterday that the 30-year-old, who was a rarity among the tail-end teams in being paid to drive rather than securing his seat with sponsorship, had departed by mutual consent.

They added in a statement that a replacement would be an-nounced in due course.

The team’s other confirmed driver is British newcomer Max Chilton, who brings substantial backing with him.

Marussia, formerly Virgin Racing, start their fourth Formula One season in Australia on March 17 still searching for their first point and ranked 11th of the 12 teams in 2012.

Glock, who previously raced for the now-defunct Jordan team and departed Toyota, has been with Marussia since they started and provided much-needed experience.

The German, who also raced in Champ (Indy) Cars in the United States and won Formula One’s GP2 support series in 2007, is expected to switch to the German DTM touring car championship.

His exit opens up a third vacancy on the Formula One starting grid after unfilled seats at Force India and Caterham, with both of those teams also looking for drivers who can bring sponsorship or other support with them.

Spanish-based HRT, last season’s back of the F1 grid team, failed to pay their entry fees for season 2013 after struggling throughout last year.

Mercedes shake-up

Mercedes announced a major shake-up yesterday with Austrian Toto Wolff arriving from Williams as a significant minority stakeholder and executive director.

Wolff will also take over coordination of all of Mercedes motorsport activities, parent company Daimler said. The latter role was previously held by Norbert Haug, whose departure was announced last month.

Niki Lauda, the retired triple champion and non-executive chairman of Mercedes GP, will also acquire a 10 per cent stake in the team in a management trio completed by principal Ross Brawn.

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