Williams driver Alex Wurz has confirmed his retirement from Formula One with immediate effect.
The 33-year-old Austrian will therefore miss the final race of the season in Brazil on October 21, with his team set to make an announcement on his replacement.
Wurz secured a race seat at the Grove-based Williams team at the start of 2007 having spent several years as test driver for McLaren.
His best result was third place at the Canadian Grand Prix in June, and he came fourth at the rain-hit European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring one month later.
However, he failed to consistently match the pace of team-mate Nico Rosberg and confirmed his departure from Williams today - citing a lack of motivation.
‘I would today like to announce my retirement from active racing in Formula One,’ Wurz said in a statement.
‘In such a hard-fought environment as Formula One, I have always maintained that if you have a moment's doubt about what you are doing then it is time to stop.
‘Privately I began to have these thoughts earlier this year and so have decided that now is the time to make my announcement.'
