Formula 1

Wiliams signs Rosberg as test driver

The BMW WilliamsF1 Team today confirmed that Nico Rosberg has been appointed as the team's second official test driver for the 2005 season. The 19 year old will undertake his first testing duties on Tuesday, 26 April at the Silverstone ...

Published: Apr 23, 2005, 4:58 PM

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The BMW WilliamsF1 Team today confirmed that Nico Rosberg has been appointed as the team's second official test driver for the 2005 season. The 19 year old will undertake his first testing duties on Tuesday, 26 April at the Silverstone circuit.

Nico Rosberg, son of Formula One World Champion, Keke Rosberg, who won his title with Williams in 1982, first sat behind the wheel of a Formula One car on 3 December 2002 in Barcelona, an opportunity awarded by BMW in recognition of his achievements in the German Formula BMW ADAC Championship, during which Rosberg won an impressive nine of 20 races.

At 17 years of age, Nico was the youngest driver ever to take part in an F1 test. Rosberg's performance in Barcelona earned him two further runs with the team, first in Jerez in December 2003 and again in January 2004 in Barcelona.

Working alongside Antonio Pizzonia, the German will play a key role in the ongoing development of the Williams BMW FW27, assisting the team in the 2005 Championship. In addition to his Formula One responsibilities, Rosberg will also be contesting the all new GP2 Series with the ART Grand Prix Team in 2005. Of the new appointment, Team Principal, Frank Williams confirms, "We are delighted to have another talented Rosberg in the team."

On the announcement of his new role with the BMW WilliamsF1 Team, Rosberg commented, "I'm really happy that I've been offered this opportunity. I'm now looking forward to helping the team and I'm sure I'll be able to do a good job. Formula One testing will also help me in GP2 as I will be in a position to learn so much more about the technical processes and about how the sport works at the highest level. Hopefully this will help me progress as a driver as well."

As Mario Theissen, BMW Motorsport Director, explained, BMW also places significant importance on the promotion of young talent. "Promoting, supporting and observing young drivers plays a key role in securing the future of this sport at the highest level.

In 2002, Nico Rosberg came out on top of the Formula BMW series against 28 other talented drivers, helped, in part by the diverse training programme that accompanies the BMW series. We're very excited that, after Ralf Schumacher, another young man has been promoted to the BMW WilliamsF1 Team from a new generation of drivers emerging from the pool of talent we're nurturing," he said.

While Rosberg will regularly be on the track as an official test driver, reigning European Touring Car Champion, Andy Priaulx, will also be carrying out certain duties for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team this season.

Following a successful test with the team in January this year, an invitation extended by BMW in recognition of his efforts in winning the 2004 European Touring Car Championship, the British driver will be conducting driving duties at additional testing sessions and marketing days, including an appearance at the BMW Power Festival at Rockingham at the end of May.

On his new role, Priaulx commented, "I'm really pleased that my relationship with the BMW WilliamsF1 Team is developing, and I hope that my single seater experience, combined with my working methods, will make a positive contribution to the team's testing programme."

While Priaulx is looking forward to driving for the BMW WilliamsF1 Team, his main focus for 2005 will be on his role as a BMW works driver with the 320i in the new FIA World Touring Car Championship.

-williams-

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