Ex-F1 driver and dual Le Mans winner Wurz gets new Toyota WEC role

The 41-year-old, who was the first driver signed by Toyota for its WEC entry in 2012, will also act as an ambassador in a deal that will stretch for at least two seasons.

A statement from Toyota explained that Wurz, who announced his retirement ahead of the 2015 WEC finale in Bahrain last month, would "assist with driver and team development, as well as promoting Toyota's hybrid LMP1 technology at the race track and beyond".

Wurz said: "We have experienced a lot together since the beginning of this project [in the WEC] and it is exciting to be part of the team's future."

"With a new car coming in 2016 and the WEC going from strength to strength, there is a lot to be excited about as we fight to reclaim our place at the front."

Toshio Sato, president of the Toyota Motorsport GmbH squad, added: "His experience and understanding of top-level motorsport has already proved invaluable to us and we expect him to play an important role in the future.

"As well as the input he can offer our drivers and engineers, as a two-time Le Mans winner and highly-respected personality in motorsport, Alex will be a great ambassador for our team."

Wurz will continue his other activities in motorsport, which include his work with the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, a circuit design business and mentoring roles with young drivers.

The Austrian, who won Le Mans as a 21-year-old with the Joest Porsche team in 1996, moved back to sportscars following the end of a Formula 1 racing career that stretched to 69 grands prix starts with Benetton, McLaren and Williams.

He joined Peugeot for 2008 and went on to claim a second Le Mans victory the following season with the French manufacturer.

Wurz won a total of five WEC rounds with Toyota in the four seasons from 2012.