German Glock is considered a mature and experienced driver within Formula 1

Virgin Racing driver Timo Glock is likely to miss Formula 1's final pre-season test in Barcelona next week after having his appendix removed.

The German had surgery on Monday after a sudden case of appendicitis.

And team principal John Booth said: "The procedure was routine and Timo is recovering in hospital in Switzerland."

Team-mate Jerome d'Ambrosio will run on all four days of the test on 8-11 March and a decision on whether Glock can take part will be made next week.

"To ensure a swift recovery, it is unlikely that he [Timo] will take part in next week's test in Barcelona," added Booth.

The Virgin team used social networking site Twitter to post a message from Glock following his operation.

"I'm very happy about how the operation went, and about my quick recovery," he said.

"It's a shame that I'll probably miss the test in Barcelona. But the guys in Australia are going to have to watch out, without an appendix I'm certain to be faster - I mean, it must have weighed a few grams at least!"

Glock, 28, has plenty of time to recover in time for the season-opening grand prix after the original 13 March opener in Bahrain was called off because of civil unrest.

The 2011 season now starts in Australia with the first free practice session in Melbourne on 25 March.

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