Grapevine: Wurz reported to sign with Williams
Alexander Wurz will be Williams's third driver in 2006, according to Austrian television ORF
31-year-old Wurz has been McLaren's test driver for the past five years, after racing for Benetton between 1997 and 2000. Wurz made a return to racing in 2005, when he replaced injured Juan Pablo Montoya at the San Marino Grand Prix, finishing in fourth place.
Wurz has been looking to return to racing for the last couple of years, and he was considered a shoe-in for BMW's new team after they bought out Sauber. But the Germans eventually decided to stick to current driver Jacques Villeneuve for 2006 and Wurz was again left without a choice of any competitive racing seat.
McLaren, in the mean time, have signed DTM champion Gary Paffett as their official test driver, and along with Pedro de la Rosa the Woking-based team was obviously saturated with driving talent, leaving Wurz even less hope of advancing his active racing career there.
ORF did not cite Wurz or any other sources for its report, but the broadcaster said Wurz will be Williams's official test driver, taking part in Friday practices next season as well as a standing-in on Grand Prix weekends for regular drivers Mark Webber and Nico Rosberg.
Williams would also likely maintain an option on Wurz for a race-seat in 2007, with Mark Webber out of a contract next year.
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