eRacing Magazine Vol 2. Issue 10 | Page 14

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.

"I know that I am still on it in the car and the laptimes show it but after Le Mans last year [when his car retired from the lead] I never really recovered.

"The Bahrain WEC round will be my last professional race - Toyota have respected my decision" Wurz told Autosport.

"There are still many races to be run but off the track now rather than on it. I'm 41 and I've been racing as a pro since 1996 - so half my life and another quarter getting there.

Wurz scored his first Le Mans win for Porsche in 1996 at the age of 22 and in 2009 for Peugeot alongside David Brabham and Marc Gene. In between, the Austrian driver has raced and tested for Benetton, McLaren and Williams, as well as providing development feedback for Brawn GP's 2009 Formula One Championship campaign.

"I've been in professional sport since I was 12, when I started racing BMXs, so that's a long time competing every weekend and pushing myself" added Wurz.

"I still enjoy doing that but I want to divert my energies elsewhere now.

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.

"Alex has been a fundamental part of our team since the very beginning, in 2011" said Toyota Team President, Toshito Sato.

"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."

Wurz was offered a role as team principal of the Lotus F1 team earlier this year, but turned it down to continue his focus on racing.