Highlights

Wurz to replace Webber at Williams in 2007

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-08-03 09:42

BUDAPEST, Aug 2 - Austrian test driver Alexander Wurz will replace Australian Mark Webber in the Williams race line-up next season, the Formula One team announced on Wednesday.

Germany's Nico Rosberg, son of 1982 world champion Keke, will remain with the British-based team after an impressive rookie season.

Webber, managed by Renault team boss Flavio Briatore, faces an uncertain future but has been linked to the world champions and other teams.

Wurz, who was classified in third place for McLaren at Imola last year in a one-off appearance as a stand-in for the injured Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya, was a Formula One regular with Benetton from 1997 to 2000.

The 32-year-old moved from McLaren, where he had also been a test driver, to Williams this year and was delighted to be returning to racing.

"My natural habitat is racing, so I couldn't be happier to have received Williams' vote of confidence for this job," he declared in a statement before the weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

Team boss Frank Williams, who denied last weekend that Wurz had a clause in his testing contract guaranteeing him a race seat, talked up his driver choice as part of the 'cornerstones of a competitive team' being put in place.

The team announced a new three-year engine deal with Toyota last week.

"Alex brings us important technical continuity and understanding of the car and as well as being an excellent communicator with our engineers, he is ultra-competitive during the Friday... practice session," said Williams.

INSTANT IMPRESSION

"Alex will be a great racing driver for us as he is one of the few men I have seen in a wheel-banging confrontation with Michael Schumacher and come out on top."

Wurz made an instant impression as a rookie with Benetton in 1997 when he finished third in only his third grand prix but Williams represent his last chance of a comeback after being passed over by other teams in recent years.

Williams said confirming Rosberg was an easy decision to make and also praised Webber for his contribution.