Williams confirm Rubens and a new Nico

Monday 2nd November 2009

Williams have confirmed Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg will be their driver line-up for the 2010 Formula One season.

The news has been widely anticipated for several weeks, with the duo replacing Nico Rosberg - set to take up Barrichello's seat at Brawn GP - and Kazuki Nakajima.

Barrichello is the most experienced driver in Formula One history, having made 284 starts, while Hulkenberg is a rising star, who this year won the GP2 Series Championship.

Team principal Frank Williams said: "Rubens needs no introduction. "He is not only the most experienced driver in Formula One but a passionate and talented driver who fought hard for the Championship this year.

"Nico won the GP2 Championship this season as a rookie and has previously won the F3 Euroseries, Formula Master, A1 GP and Formula BMW Germany."

Williams added: "Nico Rosberg and Kazuki remain our drivers until the end of 2009 and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them for their contribution to the team.

"Nico and Kazuki have represented Williams and our partners with dedication, discipline and skill and we wish them every success with their future endeavours."

In extending a career that began in 1993 with Jordan, 37-year-old Barrichello is now poised to compete in more than 300 grands prix.

The Brazilian, who has 11 wins to his name, has since raced for Stewart, Ferrari, Honda and Brawn - finishing third in this year's Drivers' Championship behind Jenson Button and Sebastian Vettel.

Barrichello insisted just last week that Williams are a team "anyone would look at", because they are "one of the best teams out there, and are on their way up."

Williams, though, could only finish seventh in the Constructors' Championship this year - Nakajima ending the season with the unenviable record of failing to score a point from the 17 races.

The team have not won a race since the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix, yet Barrichello claimed his motivation for carrying on racing is that he wants to win.

"I have a lot of passion for speed, for overtaking, for the things that pump me up, the challenge of winning," said Barrichello.

"I want to go on and have a chance to keep on winning."

Hulkenberg, who has been the team's test and reserve driver this year, is deserving of his chance - given his fine pedigree in other series.

Your Comments

spitfire21

"Again, Rubens is the only one who raced full tanks cars. Can he set up a car? Yes. Can he care for the tires? Yes. Can he still win? Yes. Can Williams build a fast car? Yes. Can Cosworth deliver a strong motor? Time will tell. It all depends on that."

ezzy1992

"i hope this line up will work, Barrachello has proved himself as a brilliant driver this season and will want to chase more wins and Hulkenberg has done well in other series of racing,however i did think they were signing Hulkenberg up earlier to repace Nakajima earlier on in the season....i'm moving away from my point, both drivers will be hungery for wins and if this was to happen could put Williams back at the front where they belong, good luck to them both!"

racerrick48

"I think Rubinho will make a good mentor for Nico Hulkenburg. He knows how to set up a car and knows the tracks better than nearly averyone else in F1...I'm glad that he's found a ride for 2010. If he wants to continue, he should be able to do so..."