News from the Paddock - Malaysian GP

McLaren Mercedes have announced that Benetton driver Alexander Wurz will join the team as third driver in 2001. He will start once his 2000 commitments are over, replacing Olivier Panis, who so impressed during his term that he has been signed by BAR-Honda. It was Panis's record that convinced McLaren to go for an experienced driver. "The benefits we have gained this season by having an additional experienced Formula One driver to carry out testing duties have been phenomenal," said managing director Martin Whitmarsh. "We are pleased to be able to continue this process by employing Alexander Wurz." The 26-year-old Austrian hopes that it will do for him what it did for Panis. "I'm extremely enthusiastic about the challenge and the opportunities offered by becoming part of the West McLaren Mercedes team. I am sure I will be able to learn and develop further as a driver."

Ferrari and McLaren could face a difficult two years (2001-2002) as Bridgestone's top teams, as rumours continue to circulate that the Japanese tyre manufacturer could pull out of Formula One at the end of the 2002 season. The withdrawal, once contracts have expired with the various teams, was suggested at Indianapolis but so far there has been no comment from senior management, and middle management say they have heard nothing.

There are three reasons for the possible pull-out: the first is the expected financial burden of several court cases surrounding Firestone (which is owned by Bridgestone) in the USA, where it is alleged that tyre delaminations have caused deaths in road traffic accidents. The company also disapproves of developing grooved tyres that have no bearing to road tyres. And finally, they fear bad publicity in the tyre war with Michelin. Bridgestone motor sport manager Taka Hoshio is unaware of any decision to pull out, but the decision may have been made at board level.

The company is keen to get back into the German DTM series, which it used to supply some years ago in the guise of the International Touring Car Series. It has very good relations with Mercedes for this reason. However, it has several contracts within Formula One, and faces two years up against Michelin. What is worrying for its contracted teams is that development is bound to slow towards the end of those contracts.

Johnny Herbert's wife Becky and his parents are in Malaysia to watch his last Formula One race, and even though he reported that his potential ChampCar drive had hit problems prior to Japan, he remains determined.