Wurz joins Williams as Friday test driver

Carbon · **Wurz joins Williams as Friday test driver -** 01-03-2006, 03:09 AM

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(GMM) Williams has responded to speculation by confirming officially that Alex Wurz will join the team in 2006 as 'Friday' test driver.

The long-time McLaren tester, 31 and Austrian, also fills the 'reserve' spot at grands prix, and will help develop the new FW28 car, the Grove team said in a statement.

''Everyone at Williams believes he will bring significant improvements to the team's performance,'' Sir Frank Williams said.

Wurz, who debuted in F1 for Benetton in 1997 and 1998, met the wheelchair-bound team principal in 1996, at a touring car meeting. ''I am delighted that the opportunity to drive for his team has now arisen,'' the tall former grand prix racer said.

Some observers are already speculating that Wurz's new deal probably includes an 'option' for 2007, when Mark Webber's race contract will be up for renewal. Alexander neared a similar deal with BMW-Sauber for 2006, but the Munich paymasters declined to agree to the 2007 option.

It is also expected that Wurz is not paying for his Oxfordshire appointment, after the historically successful team considered plumping for the pay-drive cash of Narain Karthikeyan.

F1 rookie Nico Rosberg fills the other race seat.

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That's a great addition to the team. A good test driver is vital to the team now that they do not have a works engine deal and have switched to the Bridgestones.

Carbon · **Re: Wurz joins Williams as Friday test driver -** 01-03-2006, 06:29 AM

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McLaren didn't want Wurz - report
Williams offered Austrian a lifeline

(GMM) Williams is a lifeline, rather than an alternative, for Alex Wurz.

That is the claim of Germany's 'Bild' newspaper, which reported on Monday that the long-time McLaren tester, 31, only switched from McLaren because Ron Dennis no longer wanted him at Woking.

His replacement at the silver team is DTM champion Gary Paffett, to be joined in the role by Pedro de la Rosa.

A more conventional view in F1 circles was that the 'Friday' role at Williams could be a precursor to the lanky Austrian's return to the racing grid in 2007.

Speculation said Wurz nearly switched to BMW Sauber, but the deal was scuppered because the Munich carmaker did not agree to sign Wurz's '07 'race' option.

However, 'Bild' contends that Wurz had to settle for Williams because his long legs did not fit in the new Sauber, designed to accommodate the diminutive Nick Heidfeld and Jacques Villeneuve.

Former 10-time grand prix winner Gerhard Berger thinks Sir Frank Williams has pulled off a coup.

With Wurz, renowned for his technical know-how, will come invaluable data about the fastest car - the MP4-20 - of '05.

''But I don't think he has been signed to replace (Mark) Webber or (Nico) Rosberg,'' Wurz's countryman told ORF television. ''Rosberg is one of the fastest of the new generation of drivers.''

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Interesting update.