Bruno Senna replaces Barrichello at Williams

Bruno Senna is to drive for Williams in the forthcoming Formula One season, replacing veteran Rubens Barrichello, who is out of contract.

Senna replaced Nick Heidfeld at Renault/Lotus for the final races of last season but was overlooked for this year as the team went with Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean.

The decision sees the Senna name return to Williams, for whom Bruno's late uncle Ayrton, the three-time world champion, was driving when he was killed at the San Marino Grand Prix in May 1994.

Senna will compete for Williams alongside Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado, who will be entering his second season with the team.

"I feel very privileged Williams has selected me as one of their race drivers," said Senna who will make his debut for Williams in Jerez on February 9 in the first of the winter tests.

"The team has a great heritage and I hope I can help write a good chapter in their history.

"The evaluation process has been intense and methodical, but the time I have spent in the factory has demonstrated the team has great people and all the resources needed to achieve better things this season.

"It will be very interesting to drive for a team that my uncle has driven for, particularly as quite a few of the people here actually worked with Ayrton.

"Hopefully we can bring back some memories and create some great new ones too.

"I also want to get some good results in return for the support my country has given me to help get me to this position today."

Commenting on the choice of Senna, Williams chief Sir Frank Williams said: "The circumstances of Bruno's two seasons in Formula One have not given him an ideal opportunity to deliver consistently.

"So it was essential we spent as much time with him as possible to understand and evaluate him as a driver.

"We have done this both on track and in our simulator and he has proven quick, technically insightful and above all capable of learning and applying his learning quickly and consistently.

"Now we are looking forward to seeing that talent in our race car."