Hulkenberg: Could not ask for better than Rubens

Thursday 5th November 2009

Williams newcomer Nico Hulkenberg says he has the ideal team-mate in Rubens Barrichello as he looks to take his fledgling steps in F1.

The team announced on Monday that the Brazilian veteran will be joining them in 2010 from Brawn GP, after a career resurgence which brought two victories and third place in the Drivers' Championship this season.

With a total of 284 grand prix starts made in a career stretching back to 1993, Barrichello now also ranks as the sport's most experienced driver.

In contrast, Hulkenberg, who at 22 is 15 years younger than his new team-mate, has yet to start a Formula One race and hopes he can glean plenty from Barrichello over the course of the season.

"To have a guy with such experience will be a good help for me, for a rookie in F1," the German said.

"I'd be stupid not to take advice off him, to see how he works through a race weekend. I think I can learn a lot from him and his experience.

"It couldn't be much better than that, plus he is still quick, a good racer, as we have seen this season, so it's a good package.

"I just want the best team-mate I can get, who is quick, who is experienced and who is a good driver, and that's what I see in him."

Hulkenberg nevertheless arrives in Formula One with a strong pedigree, having won every Championship he has so far contested.

He became Germany's junior karting Champion seven years ago and has since taken honours in Formula BMW, A1GP, Formula 3 Euroseries, and last year, GP2.

With a firm belief in his own talent, he feels he will be able to push Barrichello at some stage in the season.

"I hope to be on his pace from the beginning," said Hulkenberg, who has tested for Williams for the past three years.

"I hope to be able to match his speed and his results, and maybe even beat him at some point.

"I just want to do a consistently good job and get some points.

"Of course, the team have expectations of me otherwise they would not put me in the car, but they're not telling me I have to win next year, or anything like that."

However, Hulkenberg was less sure whether the duo can return Williams to the top of the podium after a five-year absence.

He added: "I certainly hope so. I've been in the factory and seen the guys pushing hard, working long hours.

"You never know if the development has been going in the right direction until you race against the other teams, so it's difficult to judge. But it's looking positive."