Would Alexander Wurz regret having retired?

Alexander Wurz declared that he would be at the full disposal of the Honda team if, during the year 2008, he had to replace Jenson Button or Rubens Barrichello.

The Austrian, who was on track with the Williams team last year, announced at the end of last season that he was retiring from racing. A little later, he confirmed his presence as a reserve driver and test driver with Honda Racing for 2008.

And although Wurz, aged 33, has clearly stated that he has no intention of returning to racing, he admits that he would be willing to come out of retirement if Honda needed him.

« If someone calls me one morning and tells me that Rubens or Jenson has slipped from the edge of his shower and is unable to participate in one or more Grand Prix, I would step in at a moment’s notice. I know the job and I would do it 100%, » explained Wurz.

I retired as a race car driver. At the time, I stated that I would be happy and eager to work with another team, but not in a front-line position. I want to contribute to the development of the team, which involves testing. There’s also all the work with the engineers, which is interesting.

« Essays are something I’ve always loved. In fact, what I’m doing now is exactly what I would like to do in the future. »

Wurz did not participate in the last race of the 2007 season with Williams because he had announced at the time that his decision to retire from the F1 world had an immediate effect.

The Austrian claims that his relationship with the British team is still good despite his swift departure.

« It’s a completely different question. It’s a closed chapter and I explained the reasons for this departure at the time, » he said.

« Nevertheless, I continue to have contacts with the Williams team. Two weeks ago, I met Frank Williams, and we had a discussion for more than two hours. It’s the same with Patrick Head and Sam Michael. »

« I had a very good time and appreciated every passing second. It’s not like marriage, where we are united for life. In racing, sometimes things change and you move on to other horizons. That’s what I did, » concluded the driver who totaled 13 points in the championship in 2007.