Jan.18 (GMM) Bruno Senna’s new Williams contract is for just one season, the Brazilian newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo claims.
“It will be a pivotal year for my future in formula one,” the 28-year-old former HRT and Renault driver is quoted as saying.
The reputation of the great Senna name is also at stake, amid reports the nephew of the late triple world champion Ayrton is effectively now a ‘pay-driver’.
The reports say his personal sponsors are taking EUR 14 million to the famous British team, in addition to the millions brought by his teammate Pastor Maldonado.
But Senna and other team figures insist that the driver’s talent and potential were the decisive factors, after the Brazilian was put through a series of factory and on-track assessments in the past weeks.
“It was like I was in school,” said Senna. “I did technical tests, work on the simulator, physical assessments and things on the track with (racing instructor) Rob Wilson.
“They required an analysis from people inside and outside of the team to consider my potential.”
Ultimately, Williams overlooked the other main contenders for the seat, the experienced Adrian Sutil and Rubens Barrichello.
“The team evaluated all of this and took the risk,” said Senna, when asked about the comparative inexperience of Williams’ 2012 lineup.
“They (the team) have lots of experience and said they believe in us to develop the car. The pressure will be great,” he admitted.
