Formula One news

Hülkenberg to test Williams next month

Due to the ban introduced this season, official 2010 pre-season testing will not take place until February. However, Williams rookie Nico Hülkenberg will be able to most the most of two special sessions for newcomers which will be held in December. The German is preparing to move from a Williams factory job to full-time race seat next year.

Having been Williams' official reserve driver this season, GP2 Champion Hülkenberg is now ready to step up to the race team alongside Rubens Barrichello, who joins from Brawn.

It is almost nine months since Hülkenberg last drove a Formula One car, also at Jerez

"I'm pretty excited to be racing for Williams, they're real racers," the 22-year-old said. "I've been with the team as a test driver for two years now, so I know everyone well. I've also been working in the factory itself this year with stints in composites, the wind tunnel and sub-assembly; I like the people and the atmosphere within the factory is really good. I'm now in a race seat and I'm really looking forward to next year."

With team-mate Barrichello being the most experienced driver in the sport's history and therefore not eligible for driving in the newcomers' tests, it will be Hülkenberg who is first to drive the Cosworth-powered car. "I will test the 2010 FW32 when testing starts in February but I will be doing two of the young driver tests in December at Jerez," Nico added.

Current F1 rules state that three young driver training tests - for those who have competed in no more than two races - may take place between the last race of the year and December 31, with Hülkenberg set to take part in two of them.

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