Nakajima is handed Williams drive

LONDON, England -- Williams test driver Kazuki Nakajima will make his grand prix debut for the team in Brazil later this month after being named as the replacement for Alexander Wurz, who retired on Monday.

The son of former grand prix driver Satoru Nakajima, Kazuki was named Williams' test driver at the end of 2006 and has over 7,000 test kilometers under his belt in the Toyota-powered FW29. He has also represented the team at five grands prix as a Friday driver.

Nakajima, 22, was named rookie of the year as he finished joint-fifth in the recently-concluded GP2 series and is known to be eyeing a drive with either Williams or Toyota for 2008.

His racing deal with Williams extends only as far as the season finale at Interlagos, but team principal Frank Williams insists that Nakajima will not be judged solely on this one outing.

"You cannot assess a driver's capability on the basis of one race but this is an ideal opportunity to develop Kazuki's experience," he said. "I am confident he will approach the race in a very workmanlike and focused way."

Nakajima added: "I am very grateful to the team who have given me this opportunity. This is a chance I intend to grab with both hands and repay the faith the team are showing in me with a strong performance." E-mail to a friend