Post by blacktulip on Nov 2, 2009 11:17:01 GMT
Williams has confirmed that Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg will form its 2010 driver line-up.
The long-rumoured announcement gives the team a well-balanced combination of the sport's most experienced driver, and one of the Formula 1 feeder series' brightest stars.
Barrichello has a record 288 grand prix appearances to his name, and has taken 11 victories during a career that started with Jordan in 1993.
He moved via Stewart to Ferrari, where he was Michael Schumacher's number two from 2000 to 2005 and twice finished as runner-up to his team-mate in the world championship.
A subsequent switch to Honda looked set to bring his career to a disappointing end, but the team's rebirth as Brawn allowed 37-year-old Barrichello to enjoy a renaissance this year as he challenged team-mate Jenson Button for the title.
"Rubens needs no introduction," said team boss Sir Frank Williams.
"He is not only the most experienced driver in Formula 1, but a passionate and talented driver who fought hard for the drivers’ championship this year."
Hulkenberg has been a Williams test driver since 2008, and this year the 22-year-old won the GP2 championship in his debut season - further boosting a glittering CV that already included titles in German Formula BMW, A1GP (for Team Germany) and the Formula 3 Euro Series.
Barrichello and Hulkenberg will replace Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima.
Rosberg announced last week that he would be leaving Williams, and has long been linked with Barrichello's former seat at Brawn, although he is believed to also have an opportunity with McLaren.
Nakajima's F1 future is uncertain as he failed to score a single point in his second season and his fellow Japanese Toyota protege Kamui Kobayashi has made a much greater impression in his debut races.
The current pair will remain under contract until the end of 2009, with Barrichello not starting duties for Williams until the new year.
Williams is also changing its engine supplier for 2010, returning to Cosworth after three seasons with Toyota power.
The long-rumoured announcement gives the team a well-balanced combination of the sport's most experienced driver, and one of the Formula 1 feeder series' brightest stars.
Barrichello has a record 288 grand prix appearances to his name, and has taken 11 victories during a career that started with Jordan in 1993.
He moved via Stewart to Ferrari, where he was Michael Schumacher's number two from 2000 to 2005 and twice finished as runner-up to his team-mate in the world championship.
A subsequent switch to Honda looked set to bring his career to a disappointing end, but the team's rebirth as Brawn allowed 37-year-old Barrichello to enjoy a renaissance this year as he challenged team-mate Jenson Button for the title.
"Rubens needs no introduction," said team boss Sir Frank Williams.
"He is not only the most experienced driver in Formula 1, but a passionate and talented driver who fought hard for the drivers’ championship this year."
Hulkenberg has been a Williams test driver since 2008, and this year the 22-year-old won the GP2 championship in his debut season - further boosting a glittering CV that already included titles in German Formula BMW, A1GP (for Team Germany) and the Formula 3 Euro Series.
Barrichello and Hulkenberg will replace Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima.
Rosberg announced last week that he would be leaving Williams, and has long been linked with Barrichello's former seat at Brawn, although he is believed to also have an opportunity with McLaren.
Nakajima's F1 future is uncertain as he failed to score a single point in his second season and his fellow Japanese Toyota protege Kamui Kobayashi has made a much greater impression in his debut races.
The current pair will remain under contract until the end of 2009, with Barrichello not starting duties for Williams until the new year.
Williams is also changing its engine supplier for 2010, returning to Cosworth after three seasons with Toyota power.