Wurz Hopes For Improvement at Home Race

Alexander Wurz has returned to the site where he last collected Formula One points a year ago hoping this Sunday's Grand Prix on his home Austrian circuit will be the turning point of a disappointing season.

With only eight races remaining, including this weekend's race on the A1-Ring, the Benetton driver will have to improve his showing soon to secure a cockpit for next season.

"It has been a disappointing year without points, I hope to change this on Sunday," he said. "Above all, I'm trying to stay focused. I know I can get out of this slump."

Benetton will have a new, stronger Supertec engine this weekend which Wurz said would be important on the tight Austrian track which was completely rebuilt four years ago.

"It will be a tough race. I'm expecting the closest qualifying of the season, therefore the new engine is very important," he said. "I have not tested the engine yet."

Wurz, who has been working closely with Benetton technical director Pat Symonds to improve his car's set up, said the team would finally have two similar cars until the end of the season.

Paddock Rumours

While Wurz seeks a change of fortune, the reluctance of Benetton boss Flavio Briatore to confirm he has a future with the team have led to paddock rumours that the 26-year-old will not have his contract renewed.

Wurz said he would like to remain with Benetton where he began a seemingly promising Formula One career in 1997 when he replaced compatriot Gerhard Berger for three races and finished third once.

"I feel comfortable at Benetton. Briatore and Benetton brought me into Formula One in the first place," said Wurz, who declined to comment on his other options for next season.

Benetton has an option on both Wurz and Italian Giancarlo Fisichella until mid-August. Fisichella, who has overshadowed Wurz the entire season with three podium finishes in the process, is expected to stay.

Although Wurz declined to say which teams he was negotiating with he said he would be busy having discussions this weekend.

"I will be holding talks to also see what the others are up to. In this chess game it's important to know what the others are doing."

Poor Luck

Wurz blamed his unfortunate season on poor luck.

"I had too many problems - such as two engine failures on the grid before the start, or coming into a pit-stop and having no tyres and therefore losing points. This will have to end at some time," he said.

Fisichella agreed: "Obviously Alex is having bad luck. He's had problems with the car."

Despite the setbacks Wurz remains optimistic.

"Fortune can change so quickly - all of a sudden you are on the way down just when you thought things were going up. This will be a new race, a new game and hopefully I will have new luck as well.

"I can't do anything about the past, I can only look at the future."

Unfortunately, it seems that the harder Wurz tries, the more things go wrong.