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Dubbed 'the next Michael Schumacher', F1 rookie Nico Hulkenberg has an astonishing record. And with his manager Willi Weber, the man behind the seven-time world champion's career, making the comparisons, Hulkenberg is surely destined for great things.

He made his karting debut aged 10, and soon enjoyed success before moving up to German Formula BMW in 2005, dominating the championship and comfortably winning the title, following in the footsteps of Nico Rosberg and Sebastian Vettel. In 2006 he joined the German A1 Grand Prix team, almost single-handedly winning Germany the title, with nine victories in his debut season.

After a year in German Formula 3, he moved across to the Formula 3 Euroseries, finishing third behind Romain Grosjean and Sebastien Buemi, before taking the title in the following year. In December 2007, Hulkenberg tested for Williams F1, outpacing official driver Kazuki Nakajima and clocking a time only 0.4 seconds slower than Rosberg. His performance impressed Williams enough to offer him a test driver seat for the 2008 season.

Juggling his commitments to Williams, Hulkenberg moved on to the GP2 Asia series over the winter, taking pole in his first race and finishing sixth in the championship despite only competing in four races. The following season he progressed to the GP2 series, where he wrapped up the championship at the penultimate round at Monza, the first time the series had been won before the final round.

In November 2009 Williams announced that Hulkenberg would partner veteran driver Rubens Barrichello for the 2010 season. Although the comparisons between Hulkenberg and Schumacher are obvious, Hulkenberg is keen to establish himself as an F1 name in his own right.

Strengths and Weaknesses
Undoubted talented, Hulkenberg will be hoping to emulate the success Hamilton and Vettel enjoyed in their debut seasons. While much has been made of the 'next Schumacher', the pressure could prove too much at the highest level.

Career High
For a driver who has won virtually every championship he has ever entered, choosing a single high is not easy, but to win the GP2 championship in his rookie season, following in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, is probably a worthy winner.

Career Low
After a phenomenal debut season in German Formula BMW in 2005, Hulkenberg went on to win the world final, only to be stripped of the trophy after being accused of brake-testing one of his rivals during a safety car period.

Quotes
"The drivers who have won GP2 in their first year - Nico Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton - are all pretty outstanding, and I think Nico will be outstanding as well." Patrick Head, Williams director of engineering.

"I can say that the boy has an unbelievable talent. So much about him already reminds me of Michael Schumacher." Willi Weber, Hulkenberg's manager. "I won't be the next Michael Schumacher or whatever. When I get to Formula One, and I believe I have still a long way to go, if I do get there, I want to be the first Nico Hulkenberg."

Trivia
Manager Willi Weber has nicknamed Hulkenberg 'The Hulk', referring to his change in personality when he gets behind a wheel.

Jo Carter November 2009