Wurz stands on threshold of history at San Marino

Imola, this Sunday, would see McLaren induct Driver No 4: Alexander Wurz. Going by the history of the sport, it is a first of sorts. In fact, if Wurz manages to finish among the points (Top-8), McLaren statistically will have a first to their name.

For McLaren, the results at Australia and Malaysia were far below expectations, particularly after signing Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen. After two rounds they managed nine, with Montoya alone accounting for eight of them. Unfortunately, the situation worsened for McLaren when a freak injury to Montoya on Easter Day — he was playing tennis — ruled him out for at least two races.

As a result, McLaren had to look for options in their test drivers Pedro de la Rossa and Wurz. With the former preferred over the latter for Bahrain, McLaren finally seemed to have got things back on track as they became the third team — apart from Red Bull and Toyota — to finish among points for the second time.

Both Raikkonen and Rossa added 10 points to McLaren’s tally, again a first in the season. But sadly, Rossa failed to find favour with them as the Spaniard will be their test driver at Imola despite finishing fifth at Bahrain. A rigid McLaren policy, while justifying Rosa’s omission, indicated that it was only fair that Alex was included since he’s been with them for a number of years.

While Wurz stands on the threshold of a McLaren history, Imola could witness two other firsts: Red Bulls’ Valentino Luzzi would become the 53rd Italian to make the F1 fold and the run of the new Minardi that would make all but one team — Jordan — on the grid with new 2005 spec cars.