Pay-back time for Kazuki
Kazuki Nakajima has vowed to repay the Williams team bosses who've named him as one of their first-team drivers for 2008.
Kazuki Nakajima has vowed to repay the Williams team bosses who've named him as one of their first-team drivers for 2008.
The 22-year-old was promoted from test driver for the final race of last season in Brazil. Now, the move has been made permanent after the AT&T Williams team announced him as their long-term replacement for Alex Wurz.
Kazuki is now looking forward to taking his place on the grid for the season's opener in Australia on March 16. And he's eager to show the RBS-sponsored team that they are right to put their faith in his abilities.
He said: "There is plenty of work to be done before next season starts, but I am resolved to do whatever is necessary and to show Williams that they have made a good investment."
The appointment was the culmination of a remarkable year for the driver, who was named GP2 Rookie of the Year, and covered over 7,000km for the team in testing. He was also their Friday practice session driver for five Grands Prix.
"This is the crowning of a great year for me," acknowledged Kazuki. "It was an amazing experience to drive out of the garage as a Formula One driver at Albert Park last March, and now to be confirmed as a race driver for AT&T Williams is a dream come true."
Nakajima's promotion from his test driver role came naturally after he impressed the team bosses in his team debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix, where he replaced Wurz following the Austrian's retirement from racing.
Team Principal Frank Williams said: "Kazuki has pace and the right aptitude to develop into a competitive Formula One racer.
"Over the course of the next season, we will provide him with all the necessary support and assistance to hone his talents."
Kazuki Nakajima
