Veteran Barrichello leaves Brawn GP for Williams
WILLIAMS have confirmed veteran Rubens Barrichello will head their all-new driver line-up for next season.
Barrichello, the most experienced racer in Formula One history, will partner rising star Nico Hulkenberg.
The Brazilian 37-year-old, who began his career at the now-defunct Jordan team in 1993, is leaving constructors’ champions Brawn GP after coming third in the drivers’ title last season.
Barrichello is set to trade places with Nico Rosberg, who is leaving Williams and tipped to drive alongside champion Jenson Button at Brawn. Hulkenberg, meanwhile, replaces Japanese racer Kazuki Nakajima, who failed to win a single point in 2009. The 22-year-old German, who has been compared to a young Michael Schumacher, won this season’s GP2 championship.
Williams team principal Frank Williams said: “Rubens needs no introduction. He is not only the most experienced driver in F1 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.”
Ross Brawn paid tribute to Barrichello, who won two grands prix last season and pushed Button close for the title. He said: “We regard him as a highly experienced and talented driver whose contribution to the team was significant.”