Wurz to Honda

[Steven Roy]

http://www.grandprix.com/ns/ns19965.html

Alex Wurz has signed up as test and reserve driver at Honda.  Presumably this means the departure from the Williams race seat was not as amicable as has been suggested.  Why give up a race seat to travel to all the GPs as a reserve.

[Dare]

confirms the rumor that Wurz's retirement wasn't
entirely his idea

[Number 38]

Williams must be a tough team to work for.......consider how many others have passsed through that shop without recognition .  I'm glad Wurz got the Honda test seat, he's got
too much experience to merely 'throw away'.

[Scott]

It's possible that the departure was amicable, but that when Ross came calling with Honda's $, Wurz reconsidered retirement.

I think it's a great move by Brawn, and Wurz may even see it as a way to get some more race time if he is that much faster than either of the race drivers, or if one of them can't race.  Honda need someone with his experience in testing, and he may be key in car developement, especially with Ross coming on board too late to affect the 2008 car's design.  The testing developement will be key to keeping the Honda Board on Ross's side. 

[FW14B]

I think part of the problem to the outside world is that Williams, rather like McLaren, consider the car to be much more important than the driver.  I remember reading once that Ron Dennis  regretted the amount he paid to Senna and Prost and would rather have spent the money improving his cars.  I think Williams hold this approach too, which is why you tend to get quite robust individuals who turn out to be the greatest successes in Williams cars.  Just look at Jones and Keke Rosberg, probably two of the most favoured Williams drivers.  I think Nico has learnt a lot from his father on how to drive for the team.  Unfortunately Wurz lacked the speed to compete last season, and I think whilst Williams would like to have kept him on, it would have been an awkward situation to have him lurking around whilst Nakajima took his seat.  Also it has meant Williams can bring in Hulkenburg to groom him into a replacement for either of the current drivers should one leave in 2009. 
One thing though, it means Honda now have I think the oldest driver line-up on the grid, which is good for experience, but not for the future. 

[Steven Roy]

Ron made the Senna comment after Senna left the team to get a faster car.  Ron spent a fortune on Senna but as soon as Senna left the team his investment was gone.  If he had put the money into car development the speed would still have been there regardless who was driving it.

[John S]

Oh well this means Ross feels he is unlikely to persuade Schuey to join him at Honda.

Alex should make a good contribution as I think he has the experience from his time at other teams, including Williams, and the maturity to make his input valid.

The new Honda line up may be the oldest on the grid but with an improved car and less mistakes than other teams because of their experience they are going to be a handful for the mid field teams this year. Rock on Honda