Timo Glock's 2009 season could be over after the German was found to have cracked a vertebrae when he crashed in qualifying at Suzuka.
Toyota reserve driver Kamui Kobayashi will deputise for Glock at Interlagos next weekend, and there are also doubts over whether he will be fit in time for the season closer in Abu Dhabi.
Glock was airlifted to hospital last Saturday after spearing into the Suzuka barriers at high speed when he ran wide exiting the chicane in Q2.
It was initially believed that he had escaped unscathed apart from a cut to his left leg, and although this prevented him from racing in Japan, he was expected to return for Brazil.
However further medical tests this week revealed that he had sustained a more serious back injury and will have to miss at least the Brazilian Grand Prix and possibly Abu Dhabi as well.
Team boss John Howett said he hoped Glock would only have to miss one more race.
"Obviously everyone in the team is very disappointed and feels for Timo," he said.
"We wish him a very speedy recovery.
"Based on the initial diagnosis, we fully expected Timo to return in Brazil but unfortunately a different injury has been revealed which prevents that.
"He will remain in Germany to recover and we hope he can recuperate in time for Abu Dhabi, although at this stage the situation is not clear."
Toyota has therefore called up Kobayashi to deputise.
The 23-year-old Japanese driver had already sat in for Glock when the German was taken ill before Friday practice at Suzuka, and would have deputised again in the race if the team had received dispensation - which was denied as he had not run in the dry sessions on Saturday.
Howett is confident that Kobayashi will acquit himself well on his GP debut.
"Kamui was the natural choice to step in and he proved in Suzuka that he is capable of holding his own," said Howett.
"It is a difficult task for him but he knows the team will give him its complete support and we know he is motivated to make the most of this unexpected opportunity."
Kobayashi won last winter's GP2 Asia title but struggled to 16th in the main championship with just a single podium finish to show for his efforts
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