Wurz Aims to Follow in Panis's Footsteps

New McLaren test driver Alex Wurz hopes to follow in Olivier Panis's footsteps and bring his Formula One career back to life next season.

The Austrian had a miserable year with Benetton last season, scoring only two points, and was forced to leave the team to make room for Jenson Button in 2001.

But Wurz, who replaced new BAR recruit Panis as McLaren's test driver, is determined to follow the Frenchman's example, and use his testing role to earn a racing seat in 2002.

"I am putting 100 per cent into this job because maybe I am a little bit closer now to the top than I have ever been," Wurz said in an interview with The Times. "Olivier showed that you can prove how good you are by putting in good times in testing.

"Now I am in the best car in Formula One so I have the chance to show that I understand Formula One and have the ability to get back on to the grid and back into a full-time race drive."

The 26-year old reckons that his decision to join McLaren was the right one, and admits he was impressed with the Woking-based team even before driving the car.

"I could see why the team has been on top for so long," he added. "Everything is very logical and every detail is studied. Nothing is left to chance. The team always seemed cold from the outside but it is, in fact, very friendly and everybody is very helpful.

"It is a great atmosphere for me to work in and I am in a great position to prove I can do a job in a Formula One car because I am very technically minded and I like to help the engineers produce the best car.

"The fact that I was chosen was a boost for my confidence simply because McLaren, the best team in the world, decided they should have me."