Formula One news

Williams confirms Nakajima in 2008 line-up

The Williams Formula 1 team confirmed on Wednesday morning that Kazuki Nakajima will join Nico Rosberg as the team's drivers for next season. Nakajima enjoyed his Formula 1 debut at the season finale in Brazil as a replacement for Alexander Wurz.

Nakajima has been the Williams team's official test and reserve driver in 2007 and competed in the GP2 series. He became Rookie of the Year and has been a member of the Toyota Driver's Programme since 2003 when he claimed the Formula Toyota Championship. More recently, Kazuki has contested the All Japan Formula 3 Championship and the Formula 3 Euroseries.

Over the course of the 2007 season, Kazuki has covered over 7,000km for the AT&T Williams team as a test driver, as well as representing the team at Grands Prix as a driver in the Friday practice sessions. He closed the season with a capable Formula One debut, racing for the team at the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.

"This is the crowning of a great year for me," said Nakajima. "It was an amazing experience to drive out of the garage as a Formula One driver at Albert Park last March, and now to be confirmed as a race driver for Williams is a dream come true. I am very grateful to Toyota for the support I have had through the Toyota Driver's Programme and to Williams for the team's faith in me. There is plenty of work to be done before next season starts, but I am resolved to do whatever is necessary and to show Williams and Toyota that they have made a good investment."

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