Nico Hulkenberg is another young German hoping to follow the nation’s proud success in Formula 1. The 22-year-old has all the traits of becoming a flourishing driver over the next few years.

Like fellow German Sebastian Vettel and 2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton, Hulkenberg sailed through the junior formulae. Winning several championships including the 2007 A1 Grand Prix and also becoming 2009 GP2 champion.

It was this impressive background which inspired Williams to sign him originally as a test driver but then as an official driver.  Williams have been very satisfied with their winter testing and seem to be the leading car in the midfield.

Hulkenberg especially impressed after testing in Barcelona. On the first day he was second fastest on the timesheets just behind Mark Webber. On the second day he managed to go one better and finish fastest just edging out Fernando Alonso’s Ferrari.

Williams’s technical director Sam Michaels was very impressed with the pace the young German has shown through testing.

The “Hulk” definitely has a lot of potential after successes lower down the formulae; it is now going to be very interesting to see if he can deliver at the highest level. He may even surprise a few people this year including his team mate Rubens Barrichello.

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