The surname ‘Senna’ will return to Williams, with Bruno Senna securing a deal to drive for the former champion team this year.
Senna, the nephew of three-times world champion Ayrton, will partner Pastor Maldanado for the Grove-based operation.
Senna signing means that Brazilian countryman Rubens Barrichello will be out of a Formula One seat for the first time in 20 years.
The signing of Senna at Williams is sure to evoke plenty of emotion, as his famous uncle was killed at San Marino in one of Frank Williams’ cars in 1994.
Senna says that he is looking forward to getting settled at Williams.
“I feel very privileged that Williams has selected me as one of their race drivers,” he said.
“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 that 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. I am very proud to be Brazilian and more motivated than ever to demonstrate what I can do. Ever since I first sat in a go-kart I never wanted to do anything else.”
This will be Senna’s third year as a Formula One driver. He made his debut in 2010 with start-up team Hispania Racing.
Last year, Senna started as Renault’s test and reserve driver. He spent the first half of the year in Nick Heidfeld’s shadow before the German was ousted. Senna made a stunning debut for the team, qualifying seventh at the Belgian Grand Prix before being involved in an accident. He raced in all the remaining rounds of the season, finishing with a best result of ninth at the Italian Grand Prix.
Senna will make his first race start with Williams at the Australian Grand Prix on March 16-18.
