Formula One news

Hülkenberg targeting Barrichello pace

No rookie driver should be employed without the belief that he holds the capabilities of one day being World Champion, according to Williams Technical Director Sam Michael, who will see Nico Hülkenberg join the squad for 2010; the German hopes to match the performances of experienced team-mate Rubens Barrichello immediately.

With Barrichello having more Grand Prix starts to his name than any other man in Formula One history, the Brazilian makes his way to Williams from Champions Brawn. Hülkenberg, on the other hand, will be making his F1 debut in Bahrain next March as 2009 GP2 Champion.

"I hope that I'll be on his pace right from the beginning and that I can match his speed and results - and maybe even beat him at some point!" 22-year-old Nico told reporters on Wednesday. "I just want to have the best team-mate I can get; one who's quick, experienced and a good driver - and that's what I see in him."

Nico added that he believed one would have to be 'stupid' to not take advice from an experienced campaigner such as Barrichello, stressing that he will also help himself as much as possible by using the team's simulator to maximum effect. "I'm pretty excited to be racing for Williams," German Hülkenberg continued. "I think they're real racers; I've been with them for two years now (as test driver) and really like the people and atmosphere."

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