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Who are they, anyway - Williams young drivers - Nico Hülkenberg continues his testing role in Jerez

Published by Christine

We are running through the drivers expected to appear at the test in Jerez next week, as most of them are names we haven't heard of and need to learn more about. We've looked into a number of teams and driver selections already, and now it's time to find out about the duo Williams intend to run.

Andy Soucek

Andy Soucek
  • Age: 24
  • Nationality: Spanish
  • F1 Experience: None
  • Notable Achievements: 14th in GP2 and GP2 Asia 2008, 1st in Formula Two 2009

Soucek's winning performance in Formula Two this year has granted him a test with Williams, and at 24, he is another of those not-quite-as-young-as-he-might-be drivers. Upon further investigation, Soucek has been in a little bit of contract trouble previously, being dropped by a team for signing with another, and then dropped from the second team creating legal issues. This shouldn't necessarily count against him but is always worth noting.

Soucek also raced in the Superleague Formula, as well as various GP2 series, so he is getting experience in different cars and across many different tracks.

Andy is currently scheduled to test for just the first day in Jerez.

Nico Hülkenberg

Nico Hülkenberg
  • Age: 22
  • Nationality: German
  • F1 Experience: Williams test driver
  • Notable Achievements: 1st in A1 GP 2006/7, 3rd then 1st in Formula Three Euroseries 2007 then '08, 1st in GP2 2009

Hülkenberg has been linked with Williams for a long time, getting his first test with the team at the end of 2007. He was faster than Nakajima, and close to Rosberg, but Kazuki was given the race drive, whilst the Hulk was test driver for 2008.

He continued this role for 2009, and has now been confirmed in the race seat alongside Barrichello for 2010. Clearly he has impressed the team, and this will be his chance to get a better feel for the car and the team, whereas some of the other signed drivers for next year will have to wait for 2010 for any testing opportunities.

Nico is currently scheduled to test for the final two days in Jerez.

All content in the series Jerez Testing December 2009