F1: Wurz To Help Williams Drivers In Mentor Role

Formula 1

F1: Wurz To Help Williams Drivers In Mentor Role

Williams brings on driver mentor...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted February 20, 2012 Balen (BEL)

Alex Wurz was a Williams driver in 2007 and will now serve as a driver mentor to the team. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

Williams has countered suggestions that its 2012 line-up lacks experience by engaging Alex Wurz in the role of driver mentor.

Wurz already has a busy workload as he is driving for Toyota in the new WEC and oversees a young driver program for the FIA.

The Austrian veteran, who raced for the Williams team in 2007, will commence work with Bruno Senna and Pastor Maldonado at this week’s Barcelona test.

“This is a great initiative by Williams and highlights just how hard the team is pushing to optimize its performance,” said Wurz. “Throughout my career as a sportsman, which started at the age of 12 in BMX racing, includes over a decade in Formula One and is still ongoing (racing in the World Endurance Championship), I am lucky to have gained so much experience.

“I grew up in a family business of driver training and naturally I enjoy helping fellow athletes to operate at their best. I’m really looking forward to using my expertise to help Williams at this important stage in its history.”

Williams Chief Operations Engineer Mark Gillan commented, “I am delighted to be working once more with Alex and look forward to his valuable input with the drivers as the whole team strives to continuously improve in all aspects of its operation.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.