VIENNA, Jan 10, 2008 (AFP) - Austria's Alexander Wurz will join Honda's Formula One team as test and reserve driver, despite announcing his retirement last October, Honda announced in a statement Thursday.

The 33-year-old Wurz, who competed in 69 Grands Prix between 1997 to 2007, is "one of the best development drivers in Formula One," Honda said in the statement posted on its website.

Wurz will join the team for its first test of the year in Valencia on January 22, and will also attend all of this season's races this season as reserve driver, it added.

Team boss Ross Brawn said he was delighted with the move.

"Alex has 11 years of top level experience in the sport and this depth and breadth of knowledge will prove invaluable to us as we aim to make Honda a competitive force in 2008," he said.

Wurz said: "It is a real honour to be part of a team that has racing right at the core of its operation."

"I am delighted to be joining the Honda Racing F1 Team at the beginning of what I hope can be a very exciting period for the team," he said.

Wurz, who has previously worked with Benetton, McLaren and Williams, had announced his retirement on October 8, 2007.