Motor racing-Wurz rules out Manor principal job

LONDON, Nov 18 (Reuters) - Austrian Alexander Wurz has ruled himself out of the running to take over as principal of Manor Marussia, the smallest team on the Formula One starting grid. "After a period of consideration, I have informed (owner) Stephen Fitzpatrick that I have taken the decision not to make myself available to Manor, the 41-year-old ex-Formula One driver told the BBC on Wednesday. Manor will have a vacancy after next week's season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with current principal John Booth and sporting director Graeme Lowdon resigning after reported differences with Fitzpatrick. The British-based team last week appointed former McLaren veteran Dave Ryan as their new racing director. Wurz, who is retiring from motorsport as a driver after this weekend's World Endurance Championship finale in Bahrain, had discussed the principal role with Fitzpatrick without a formal offer being made. (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Toby Davis)