PARIS - The Williams Formula One team announced on Monday that their drivers for next year will be veteran Brazilian Rubens Barichello and German rookie Nico Hulkenberg.

The Oxford-based team struggled throughout the just-concluded season when Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima were the drivers and the former world champion outfit finished a lowly seventh in the constructors championship.

Team leader Frank Williams said: "Rubens needs no introduction. He is not only the most experienced driver in Formula One, but a passionate and talented driver who fought hard for the drivers championship this year.

"Nico Hulkenberg won the GP2 Championship this season as a rookie and has previously won the F3 Euroseries, Formula Masters, A1 GP and Formula BMW Germany.

"Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima remain our drivers until the end of 2009 and I would like to thank them for their contribution to the team."