Happy New Year Alex

It's nice to start the New Year with a bit of good news, and I have to say that hearing that Alex Wurz has signed to be the third, or "Friday" driver at Williams counts as good news.

Alex has had a bit of a checkered career, never really capitalising on his early talent. Most pundits will remember spectacular crashes like the first corner incident in Canada in a Benetton, but while standing in at McLaren this year, he showed he still has what it takes. It's very difficult to estimate the importance of the third driver role. As he doesn't race, he's not restricted by the engine-change rule, and can consequently pound round gathering data. The fact that Williams have chosen to pay someone to do this, rather than take a few million dollars from a pay-driver, indicates that it must be a vital role. And obviously, they believe Alex can do it. Let's hope it helps them get back into the fray with the other big teams, so that we end up seeing closer racing.

And finally of course, a Happy New Year to all of you kind enough to read this. Posts should now go back to being regular after the break.