There is a great atmosphere here."I always worked at the technical side as well as the racing My technical interest goes back to my studies. I did an engineering and technical course although I stopped after four of the five years because the racing was becoming too big for me to continue."Many predict it will become bigger still for Wurz. First of all, however, he must contend with fierce internal competition from another of the sport's tiros, the Italian Giancarlo Fisichella.Wurz said: "He had the experience of racing with Jordan last year and they were quite strong, but it is important we don't fight together The team needs us to pull in the same direction. We are getting closer and working together, and I think it will be closer on the circuit."Within the team, there is optimism one or both of their fledgling drivers will regenerate some of the exciting momentum Michael Schumacher brought them in the early and mid-90s.

Wurz, prudently, plays down his prospects of emulating the great German.He said: "I don't want to be compared with Schumacher because that is dangerous and not easy for any driver. I will always give 100 per cent, that is all I can guarantee. He underlined his versatility with consistently competitive drives in GT races last year.Formula One, however, was his objective and Benetton-Renault summoned him on board as test and reserve driver. When illness struck down Berger mid-season, Wurz was promoted.His impact was instant.

He demonstrated not only exceptional pace but a technical appreciation many more senior drivers did not command. That podium finish at Silverstone confirmed the team's confidence and he was assigned a 1998 seat.Wurz, who has already joined the Formula One commune in Monaco, said: "I would have chosen Benetton because it is where I have done a lot of work and testing. At school I never wanted to be a pilot or a doctor or a lawyer like the other boys. I wanted only to be a racing driver."As an Austrian schoolboy he inevitably found recreations on skis but always he turned to wheels for his competitive fulfilment.