F1: Wurz open to team boss roles

Alex Wurz has not ruled out an eventual move into Formula 1 team management following his rejection of the top job at Manor Grand Prix.

The Toyota World Endurance Championship driver, who will hang up his helmet after this weekend's Bahrain series finale, explained that he turned down Manor owner Stephen Fitzpatrick's offer of the team principal role because "the timing was not right."

"It wasn't the right time because I am moving in one direction for the future," the 40-year-old Austrian said. "I decided that I would not be available for this job and to continue in my original direction, which I can't talk about at the moment."

Asked if he could see himself in a senior management role at a F1 team in the future, Wurz said: "Maybe. It would definitely be a challenge, and since my childhood I have always liked to face new challenges."

Two-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Wurz, who contested 69 grands prix with Benetton, McLaren and Williams, has a variety of interests in motorsport outside of driving. He is president of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, is an advisor to the board at Williams, has a circuit design business and is involved in driver management.

Fitzpatrick, who revived the Manor squad ahead of the 2015 season, approached Wurz after team boss John Booth and sporting director Graeme Lowndon tendered their resignations at the end of October.

Former long-time McLaren employee Dave Ryan, who ended up as sporting director of the F1 team, was announced as Manor's new racing director earlier this week.

Originally on Autosport.com