News Scan: Williams F1 Driver Alex Wurz Announces Retirement From Formula One With Immediate Effect
Oct 08, 2007
Williams
Austrian driver Alex Wurz retired from Formula One racing on Monday and will miss the final race of the season.
The 33-year-old Williams driver said he had been considering retirement since the beginning of the year.
“In such a hard fought environment as Formula One, I have always maintained that if you have a moment’s doubt about what you are doing, then it is time to stop, “ Wurz said in a statement. CanadianPress
Williams F1team boss, Sir Frank Williams has thanked Alex Wurz for his ‘invaluable contribution’ to the team over the past two years.
Although Williams will now have to draft in a replacement for the season ending Brazilian Grand Prix in two weeks time, Frank was quick to salute the Austrian, who to date, has taken the team’s only podium finish of the season, following his third place finish in Canada back in June.
“Alex has made an invaluable contribution to the team for the past two years, first as one of the best test and development drivers the team has ever worked with, and more recently as a race driver, “ said Williams. Crash.net
Wurz secured a race seat at the Williams team at the start of 2007 having spent several years as test driver for McLaren.
His best result was third place at the Canadian Grand Prix in June, and he came fourth at the rain-hit European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring one month later.
However, he failed to consistently match the pace of team-mate Nico Rosberg and confirmed his departure from Williams—citing a lack of motivation.
“I would today like to announce my retirement from active racing in Formula One, “ Wurz said in a statement. CNN.com
“I would like to thank my family and fans, everyone at AT&T Williams and my previous teams, as well as the media, for all of their support during my Formula 1 racing career.
“In such a hard fought environment as Formula 1, I have always maintained that if you have a moment’s doubt about what you are doing, then it is time to stop.
“Privately I began to have these thoughts earlier this year and so have decided that now is the time to make my announcement.”
Williams confirmed that it would announce Wurz’s replacement for the Interlagos finale on Tuesday. ITV.com
