No Pain No Gain For Big Man Wurz.

Formula One's gentle giant Alex Wurz is set to go through an uncomfortable 2000 season but says the results will be better because of it.


The Austrian, who is more than 6ft 1 inch tall, had a special car designed to accommodate his lanky frame last year and has said he will accept the pain and race in the smaller, lighter Benetton B2000 more suited to his pint sized team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella.


Speaking at the launch of Benetton's brand new 'human performance' centre Wurz said, "Last year was the most comfortable car I had ever had in my whole career. It was designed for my size...but the extra weight and aerodynamics package made it uncompetitive."


Because Benetton had to specially adapt last year's chassis for Wurz it meant the team were unable to make certain technical modifications that it could on Fisichella's machine. This, and the added weight of the car, gave the Austrian a 1 second deficit per lap, according to team figures. Wurz's size also makes him one of the heaviest drivers on the grid, weighing in at 82 kilograms, some 15-20 kilos heavier than many of the other drivers. During much of last season Wurz's car was some 20 kilos over the 600 kg limit and as a result he struggled against his team-mate.


Wurz, however has stayed loyal to the Enstone based team and feels that their new multi million pound fitness facility will help him overcome any discomfort he suffers this year. He feels that despite the pain he will be much quicker in 2000, "It'll be a bit tougher this year but I don't see a problem."


Alex, along with his team-mate and many of Formula One's other major players will shortly descend on the Spanish circuit of Jerez to begin a three day test on Wednesday before moving on to Silverstone for the final preparations for the long trip to Melbourne.