Wurz to decide on future soon

The Austrian's contract with McLaren runs out at the end of this year and he is believed to be contemplating an offer to become BMW's third driver next season.

However, with sources claiming that BMW are not willing to guarantee their new third driver a race seat in 2007, Wurz is by no means certain to risk turning his back on the job offer he has from McLaren.

Speaking to autosport.com during testing at Jerez, Wurz said that he was likely to make his decision next week when he has clarified a few issues. At the moment he said he was completely focused on his job with McLaren.

"I am just concentrating on what I am doing, which is some tyre testing for McLaren," he said. "At the moment I am not in a position to be able to speak about things. I will find out more about it next week.

"There is no deadline to make a decision. I can take as long as I want, but it is better to have the decision sooner rather than later. I would like to know sooner."

When asked whether he would likely make a decision with his head or his heart, he said: "You mean rationally or emotionally? Well, I am a pretty rational person anyway.

"So I will have to see all the facts first and then decide. Like I have said I will know more next week."

BMW's reluctance to offer a guaranteed race deal to their third driver was believed to have been the reason why Indy Racing League champion Dan Wheldon turned his back on a deal with the team.

Wurz is likely to clarify his position with BMW before making a decision about whether he remains with McLaren. If they do not change their mind and offer the guarantee of a race deal then it is unlikely Wurz will move.

If Wurz does leave McLaren, however, then it is almost certain that DTM champion Gary Paffett will be drafted in as an official test driver to replace him.