OCTOBER 30, 2000
Wurz ready for knee operation before testing duties begin
AUSTRIAN Alexander Wurz is ready to undergo an operation to cure a knee problem which threatened to cut his 2000 Formula One season short.
Wurz, who will link up with his new McLaren team-mates Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard when testing for the 2001 season begins in December, admitted that he needed the operation four weeks ago but refused to end his four-year stay with Benetton early.
Now the 26-year-old will enter hospital on Monday to have the problem rectified before he begins his new job as McLaren test driver.
"The real work starts in December with several test sessions but before that I have to undergo a knee operation," Wurz said.
"I should have done this a month ago but it is not possible to drop out for four weeks during the season.
"This is a bit scary. I go there upright and walking and will leave the hospital on crutches. However, I will push to recover quickly and without a doubt I will be fit before December."