Alex Wurz Announces Retirement
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| Alex Wurz |
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing would like to thank Alex Wurz for his significant contribution to its World Endurance Championship project.
Alex, 41, announced today that he will retire from racing after this weekend’s Six Hours of Bahrain, the final round of the 2015 World Endurance Championship.
Alex was the first driver signed by TOYOTA in 2011 when its entry into WEC was confirmed, and delivered the team its first pole position and victory in Brazil in 2012, just the team’s third race.
In his four seasons with TOYOTA, two-time Le Mans winner Alex has played a crucial role in technical development, as well as contributing to development of the whole team to meet the requirements of endurance racing.
He has been a valued and popular team member, whose presence will be sorely missed.
Prior to the season-ending Bahrain round, Alex has taken part in 27 WEC races for TOYOTA, winning five and finishing on the podium a total of 11 times.
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will announce its 2016 driver line-up early next year.
Toshio Sato, Team President: "Alex has been a fundamental part of our team since the very beginning, in 2011. We have enjoyed some fantastic moments together; I know everyone in the team will remember that first victory in Sao Paulo for a long, long time. I would like to sincerely thank him for his contribution to our WEC project; his technical input, motivation and ability have been invaluable to us. Whilst it is sad to see such a respected and successful driver step away from racing, we wish Alex all the very best for the future."
A statement from Alex is attached to this press release as pdf.
Alex Wurz Career Statistics
Born 15 February 1974, Waidhofen an der Thaya, Austria
Lives Monaco
Status Married to Julia, 3 children (Felix, Charlie and Oscar)
Height 1.87m
Weight 79kg
1986 BMX World Championship: 1st
BMX European Championship: 2nd
1989 Austrian Kart Championship: 2nd
1991 European Formula Ford Cup: 2nd
Austrian Formula Ford Championship: 2nd
1992 European Formula Ford Cup: 1st
Austrian Formula Ford Championship: 1st
German Formula Ford Championship: 1st
1993 Austrian Formula 3 Championship: 1st
1994 German Formula 3 Championship: 2nd (3 wins)
1995 German Formula 3 Championship: 6th
1996 Le Mans 24 Hours (Team Joest): 1st
International Touring Car Championship (Opel): 16th
1997 Formula 1 (Benetton): 14th
FIA GT Championship (AMG Mercedes): 10th (1 win)
1998 Formula 1 (Benetton): 8th
1999 Formula 1 (Benetton): 13th
2000 Formula 1 (Benetton): 15th
2001-05 Formula 1 (McLaren): Third driver
2005 Formula 1 (McLaren): 17th (1 race)
2006 Formula 1 (Williams): Third driver
2007 Formula 1 (Williams): 11th
2008 Formula 1 (Honda): Reserve driver
2009 Le Mans 24 Hours (Peugeot): 1st
Formula 1 (Brawn GP): Test driver
2010 Le Mans 24 Hours (Peugeot): DNF
Sebring 12 Hours (Peugeot): 1st
2011 Le Mans 24 Hours (Peugeot): 4th
Le Mans Series / Inter. Le Mans Cup (Peugeot): 2 wins
Petit Le Mans (Peugeot): 1st
2012 Le Mans 24 Hours (TOYOTA Racing): DNF
World Endurance Championship (TOYOTA Racing): 3rd (3 wins)
2013 Le Mans 24 Hours (TOYOTA Racing): 4th
World Endurance Championship (TOYOTA Racing): 4th (1 win)
2014 Le Mans 24 Hours (TOYOTA Racing): DNF
World Endurance Championship (TOYOTA Racing): 5th (1 win)
2015 Le Mans 24 Hours (TOYOTA GAZOO Racing): 8th
World Endurance Championship (TOYOTA Racing): 7th*
*Prior to Six Hours of Bahrain