Formula One's Alexander Wurz to Retire from Grand Prix Racing

Austrian Formula One driver Alexander Wurz announced his retirement from driving this weekend as the Formula One circus prepared for the Chinese Grand Prix. The season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix will be his last F1 start.

Wurz's retirement, broken by autosport.com, firmly opens up another seat available in the so-called "silly season" for Formula One. No driver has been announced as Wurz' replacement at Williams.

The Austrian, who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1996, made his F1 debut the following year subbing for countryman Gerhard Berger mid-season at the Benetton team, now known as Renualt. Two retirements were complemented by a podium place at that year's British Grand Prix in his three-race stint.

His performance helped secure him a full-time driver with the Benetton team the following year, driving for them from 1998 to 2000. He then moved to McLaren as a test driver for five years.

Links to a full-time racing drive during that time were fluttered about the paddock, including a firm belief Wurz would be drafted in at Jaguar in 2005 to replace a lagging Antonio Pizzonia, but this did not materialize.

Wurz moved over to Williams in 2006 as their test driver, with Nico Rosberg and Mark Webber as race drivers. When Webber moved to the Red Bull team seeking better pay, Wurz finally was granted a full-time ride.

Taking the third podium finish of his career at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix, Wurz considering retiring at this high point, reported autosport, but chose to continue on.

As of the Japanese Grand Prix, Wurz has 13 points and is tenth in the driver's championship, two points less than his teammate.

A month ago, Wurz made an agreement with team owner Sir Frank Williams not to speak about his plans for 2008. Speculation suggests his technical skills as a driver would make him an asset as a test driver for Williams.