Wurz upset by rumours of losing Benetton drive

The Austrian has been constantly out performed by teammate Giancarlo Fisichella this season and failed to score a single point while the little Italian has notched up eight and even visited the podium.

However, technical director Pat Symonds has become his Race Engineer for this weekend which has clearly helped as he was second fastest at the end of the first day's practice, and is confident he can finish in the points within the next three races.

"These stories about my future have started to come out in my country and that has hurt me," said Wurz. "If unfair rumours start it is never nice - especially when they are based on nothing. He continued: "My family and friends are as upset as I am when results are not coming but they are always supportive but this is different.

"I have come here to focus on my job and do what I am contracted to do and drive fast around the circuit. Today we improved the car for my driving style which is nice.

"I have a new race engineer in Pat this weekend and it is working well. We have tried a few different things on how we engineer the car and it has gone well."

Symonds was responsible for getting Wurz the drive four years ago. "We are working very well together. In the morning I was very unhappy with the chassis, it was sliding a lot, but step by step, calmly we improved it and we have found a reasonable set up which I can do fast times with.

Asked if he had assurances he would see out the season at Benetton he said: "The last three races historically have not suited our car, and certainly not this year's car, but the circuits coming, here, Monaco and Canada are much better for us.

"So I think we can be stronger and maybe in the top eight and top 10 this weekend and maybe even better at Monaco."