Alexander Wurz
Wurz at the 2013 6 Hours of Silverstone
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| Born |
15 February 1974 Waidhofen an der Thaya, Lower Austria, Austria |
|---|---|
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |
 Austrian |
| Active years | 1997–2000, 2005, 2007 |
| Teams | Benetton, McLaren, Williams |
| Entries | 69 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 3 |
| Career points | 45 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 1 |
| First entry | 1997 Canadian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 2007 Chinese Grand Prix |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
| Participating years | 1996, 2008–2015 |
| Teams | Joest Racing, Team Peugeot Total |
| Best finish | 1st (1996, 2009) |
| Class wins | 2 (1996, 2009) |
Alexander Wurz (born 15 February 1974) is an Austrian retired professional racing driver, driver training expert and businessman. He competed in Formula One from 1997 until 2007, and is also a two-time winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours.
He is currently under contract to race for the Toyota factory racing team in the WEC (World Endurance Championship). He is linked to Formula 1 as consultant, expert for TV and media, Williams F1 Team's driver coach, member of FIA Institute safety group, FIA road safety ambassador, chairman to the GPDA (Grand Prix Drivers' Association), and works occasionally as F1 driver steward. Wurz and his father Franz Wurz established Test & Training International, a leading driver training and road safety expert group.
Born in Waidhofen an der Thaya, Wurz first tasted competition in the BMX World Championship, which he won in 1986 at the age of 12. This gave him an underlying physical fitness suitable for motor racing. In 2000, Wurz returned somewhat to his cycling roots, starting an MTB team with countryman Markus Rainer. The team, Rainer-Wurz.com, is currently sponsored by sponsors McLaren, Siemens, and Cannondale amongst others. They are multiple World Cup winners. In the early 2000s, niche bicycle brand Katarga presented a limited edition high-end mountain bike called the Alexander Wurz EVO SL, whose frame prominently featured Wurz's autograph.
Like most Formula One drivers, Wurz's motorsport career began with karting. In 1991, Wurz drove in Formula Ford. In 1993, he switched to the German Formula Three Championship. During his time in Formula 3, Wurz crashed out of the lead at a race at AVUS in 1995 after a collision with the safety car. From 1996, Wurz drove an Opel Calibra for the Joest Racing touring car team in the DTM. Also in 1996, Wurz, together with Davy Jones and Manuel Reuter, won the Le Mans 24 Hours and in so doing became the youngest ever winner of the 24-hour race. He still holds the record to this day.
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