Jaguar Accept Wurz's Decision

Jaguar Racing on Friday confirmed that McLaren-Mercedes test driver Alexander Wurz has pulled out of the running for the second race seat alongside Australian Mark Webber for 2004.

It is understood that Wurz, who was targeted by Jaguar earlier this year as a possible replacement for Brazilian Antonio Pizzonia, decided to stay with the Woking team after running out of time to make a decision.

A Jaguar spokesman said: "We have said for some time that Alex Wurz was on our shortlist but he has now decided to stick with McLaren. We respect his decision and we wish him the best of luck and every success in the future.

"There is, however, still a shortlist at Jaguar which we are working our way through and after a successful test in Valencia we hope to move closer to that decision in the very near future."

The news will come as a blow to Jaguar bosses but they claim to still have "seven or eight" names on their shortlist including German Nick Heidfeld and Dutchman Jos Verstappen.

The team tested Austrian Christian Klein, who is backed by energy drinks manufacturer Red Bull, and American Townsend Bell in Barcelona this week and were impressed by the performances of both.

They are yet to decide whether to invite either driver back for their next test, in Barcelona next week, where they will have two cars and currently only Webber as their single confirmed driver.

Briton Justin Wilson remains in contention for the drive after being handed an extension to his contract but has just two remaining tests until the end of the year to convince the Jaguar bosses he should retain his place.