Wurz to focus on McLaren test role

The Austrian has revealed that the new McLaren contender is nearing completion, and should receive its track debut in two weeks time.

Speaking to autosport.com during testing at the Paul Ricard circuit today (Wednesday), Wurz confessed that he felt a strong desire to return to racing with Jaguar. "If you ask me if I want to race, yes I want to race," he said. "But there was increasing media pressure - no, there was pressure from everybody that was involved, but then everyone felt that we had to calm down."

Wurz has revealed that the much-anticipated new McLaren is scheduled to make its test debut at Paul Ricard in two weeks time, on the Wednesday after the Austrian Grand Prix. Wurz will be the first to drive the car, and will conduct all the initial testing and development on the machine, allowing regular race drivers David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen to continue a concurrent development programme on the MP4-17D.

The Austrian has already had a seat fitting for the new machine, but would only describe it as "a very different car" to its predecessor.

Although disappointed not to have a chance to return to racing, Wurz is looking forward to his work on the new car. He said: "I'm going to concentrate on the MP4-18A which is coming in the next test. I can think of worse scenarios than when two teams want your services."