Wurz: Why McLaren went for de la Rosa...

McLaren-Mercedes third driver, Alexander Wurz has revealed that the reason he wasn't selected to stand-in for the injured Juan Montoya this weekend in Bahrain, is because the team 'deemed it the best solution'.

Although there is little doubt the Woking based team would have preferred to use Wurz, the Austrian has yet to drive the MP4-20 due to his height - something that means he cannot fit comfortably into the car.

Pedro de la Rosa meanwhile has undertaken over 2000 kilometres of testing with the MP4-20 since late January whilst Wurz has been forced to focus on Michelin tyre development with last year's car - the MP4-19B. Subsequently the team decided that on this occasion de la Rosa was 'better equipped' to race.

"It goes without saying that I would have preferred to be the one racing the MP4-20 at the Bahrain Grand Prix," admitted Wurz.

"However the team and I agreed this was the best solution for this race and I am excited that I will be able to drive the MP4-20 for the first time on Friday in Bahrain. Like the rest of the team I also want to wish Juan Pablo all the best."

Following this weekend's event, McLaren added that Wurz will commence his testing programme with the MP4-20 - which will assumingly be modified by then to better accommodate him - and as such he will be able to share the test driver duties with de la Rosa at future events.

"It's in situations like these that Pedro and Alex roles become even more crucial within the team and I'm confident that both drivers will put in strong performances during the Bahrain Grand Prix weekend," summed up team boss, Ron Dennis. "We will continue to monitor Juan Pablo's progress over the coming weeks and are aiming to get him back in the car as soon as possible."