Timo Glock

The German, who crashed during qualifying for early October's Japanese grand prix and was replaced for the last three races by reserve Kamui Kobayashi, has been signed for 2010 by the new Virgin team.

It was rumored after Glock's Suzuka crash and in the weeks that followed that his absence in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, while ostensibly due to minor back and leg injuries, had a political element.

And although Toyota's decision to quit F1 was not made until after the season had concluded, Glock told F1's official website that he "realized early on" that his time with the Cologne based team was up.

"We started to negotiate with Virgin shortly after the Japanese grand prix," said the 27-year-old.

"In my head I was probably ready to race for another team by Suzuka," added Glock, revealing that he visited the Virgin factory shortly after the Japanese event.

"At that time I hadn't any clue that Toyota would withdraw.  It was only that I knew my time there was coming to an end," he said.