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Wednesday November 4, 2009

Hulkenberg to learn from old master

LONDON: If Rubens Barrichello is Formula One’s old master, then rookie Nico Hulkenberg will be the Brazilian’s eager apprentice at Williams next year.

“We wanted to put someone quite experienced and strong and a grand prix winner next to Hulkenberg so that he develops properly,” technical director Sam Michael told Reuters in a telephone interview after the pair were confirmed on Monday.

“We didn’t want him to come in as a rookie and not have that support.

“He (Hulkenberg) will ... get to look at someone who is a multiple Grand Prix winner and look at how they work and how they blend the team around them and get the team to do the best job for them,” added the Australian.

While 37-year-old Barrichello needs no introduction, having started more races than any other driver and also finished championship runner-up twice at Ferrari, 22-year-old German Hulkenberg is the team’s big hope for the future.

Managed by Willi Weber, who also took care of Michael Schumacher’s career, he has won every series he has entered so far; karting, German Formula BMW, A1 GP, Euro F3 and GP2.

“Inside Williams we have a big spreadsheet which basically maps a driver’s achievements from the age of eight and the reference in that spreadsheet has been Lewis Hamilton because of what he did from eight years old to get into F1,” said Michael, referring to McLaren’s 2008 champion.

“Basically Nico Hulkenberg has been on exactly the same path, coming up obviously through different countries.

“There’s no point in putting a rookie in the car unless you think he can be a world champion,” continued Michael, whose team will be switching from Toyota to Cosworth engines. — Reuters

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