Hülkenberg signs as test driver with Williams

Nico Hülkenberg officially became today an F1 driver for Williams. The young German has indeed been a test driver for 2008.

After testing positive with the team in Jerez last week, Hülkenberg, at only 20 years old, is moving up to the premier category of motor sports, also thanks to a third-place finish in the 2007 F3 Euroseries Championship.

The top three drivers of this championship – Romain Grosjean, Sébastien Buemi, and Nico Hülkenberg – have already secured a seat for 2008, either in GP2 or F1.

« The two days of Formula One testing with Williams last week in Jerez were the culmination of a ‘dream’ fueled since my first karting race in 1977… » Proudly admitted Hülkenberg.

« When I went out on the track with the FW29, everything I hoped for and more came true… Having convinced the team after my tests and officially becoming their test driver is a wonderful gift for me. It’s a bit like Christmas coming early… » Joked the German.

Sam Michael – the technical director of Williams – added: « Nico [Hülkenberg] has shown great rigor despite the difficulties of our test driver evaluation program. »

« We knew he had proven himself in Formula ‘junior’ and we needed to try him in an F1… and obviously, he knows how to be fast everywhere! » concluded the Briton.

The Williams line-up is thus filled with Nakajima – former test driver – and Rosberg as the main driver.