Father Warns Wurz Against Jaguar Move

Alexander Wurz has been urged to turn down an offer to drive for Jaguar Racing and remain as a test driver with McLaren-Mercedes - by his own father.

Jaguar have approached McLaren to sign Austrian Wurz to replace under-fire Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia after this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix. The driver's father Franz, who works with Austria's motor racing club, has said that Wurz is weighing up the offer but has urged him to turn it down.

"Jaguar have made Alex an offer and a decision will be made this week," Wurz senior told Austrian agency APA. "I will give him advice but this will be Alex's decision. He is currently weighing the pros and cons.

"We last spoke on Sunday night and I told him that if I were him I would play it safe and stay with McLaren. Alex is highly rated at McLaren and has become a very important factor in the team. But he is still young enough to come back."

Mercedes motorsport director Norbert Haug said that Jaguar's offer to take Wurz on a short-term deal "is far from acceptable" and insisted Wurz should stay.

"Jaguar's offer is far from acceptable," Haug said. "Alex has a valid contract and he knows we will support him in his racing career."