Wurz retains ties to Brawn GP

Wurz, who was reserve driver for the team last year, will continue to contribute in a developmental and advisory capacity even though the ban on mid-season testing will restrict his driving opportunities.

Brawn GP has yet to officially name a reserve driver for the season, although throughout the Australian Grand Prix weekend Wurz has been on standby and attended the drivers' briefing in case either Jenson Button or Rubens Barrichello became unavailable.

Anthony Davidson, who was Honda's test driver from late 2001-2006, also retains links with the team and could be a candidate for a reserve role later in the year.

"I'm with Brawn GP on the same contract as last year, same position, same role," Wurz told AUTOPORT. "So not much has changed there.

"We are still in discussion as to exactly how we fine tune the work. Usually, as last year, at the race I am involved in the meetings. I talk to the engineers and drivers so there is another brain in the system.

"I like doing that. Sometimes I say quite a lot, sometimes I say nothing just as it comes. Last year, it worked well. That's what we are looking into how we can maximise this extra help."

Although Wurz retired from racing in F1 before the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix, he is still available as a stand-in and would be happy to get behind the wheel of the Brawn BGP 001.

"The usual answer for this question is that I hope no one injures themselves, but looking at the car I would like to have a go in it," said Wurz. "I am available!"

Despite the team locking out the front row in qualifying, Wurz believes that a one-two victory is not a foregone conclusion.

"I expect an interesting race," he told AUTOSPORT. "But I can't say if I expect anyone to win because it can be a very different story. You can have safety cars, you can have accidents and you can never be completely certain of reliability."