Wurz joins Williams as driver mentor

20/02/2012

Alex Wurz has returned to Williams, for whom he drove in 2007, to act as driver mentor.

The Austrian, who was a test driver for the Grove outfit in 2006 before graduating to a full race seat the following year, will start his duties at this week's Barcelona test before accompanying the team to races this season.

Complementing the team's recent engagement with Michael Johnson to improve pitstop performance, Wurz' appointment will see the team draw upon his 18 years' experience as a race driver, 11 of which he competed in Formula One, to support its efforts in returning to the front of the grid.

"This is a great initiative by Williams and highlights just how hard the team is pushing to optimise its performance," said Wurz. "Throughout my career as a sportsman, which started at the age of 12 in BMX racing, includes over a decade in Formula One and is still ongoing (racing in the World Endurance Championship), I am lucky to have gained so much experience. I grew up in a family business of driver training and naturally I enjoy helping fellow athletes to operate at their best. I'm really looking forward to using my expertise to help Williams at this important stage in its history."

"I am delighted to be working once more with Alex and look forward to his valuable input with the drivers as the whole team strives to continuously improve in all aspects of its operation," added Mark Gillan, the team's chief operations engineer.