Hulkenberg hopes to match Barrichello

Hulkenberg is being promoted from reserve duties to a Williams race seat having won this year's GP2 title, while Barrichello - who has more grands prix under his belt than any other driver in history - moves to the team having challenged for the world championship with current employer Brawn.

When asked how he expected to compare to Barrichello, Hulkenberg replied: "That's difficult to judge. In the beginning of the season it's difficult, I hope to be on his pace right from the beginning and that I can match his speed and results, and maybe even beat him at some point."

Although he said he had no strong feelings about who was chosen to partner him, the young German admitted that having a team-mate of Barrichello's experience offered advantages.

"I don't mind really, I just want to have the best team-mate I can get who is quick, experienced and is a good driver, and that's what I see in him," he said.

"I think I would be stupid if I didn't take advice from him and see how he works through a race weekend. I think I can learn a lot from him."

Hulkenberg is not too concerned about his own lack of experience and the limited testing mileage available before his first race.

"All I can do is take the testing I get, use the simulator as much as I can, and that's all we have so that's all we can do," he said.

"We will get prepared as best we can, go on track racing and see how we do. I just want to deliver consistently, to do a good job and get some points wherever I can."

He added that Williams had not given him any specific targets to achieve in his rookie season.

"Of course they expect something from me, otherwise wouldn't have put me in car," said Hulkenberg, "but they are not telling me I have to win next year or something like that."