Zoom Both front and rear wings tested by Williams...

Williams drafted in Nico Hulkenberg today as the winter test programme commenced in earnest at Circuit de Catalunya.

The F3 Euroseries winner and occasional Williams tester put in 116 laps for the team and posted the 11th fastest time of the 17 runners on track at the Spanish Grand Prix venue.

Williams, along with BMW Sauber and Honda, ran new wings aimed at the 2009 season as well as slick Bridgestone Potenza rubber.

“Nico Hulkenberg was driving for us today on the first day of winter testing at Barcelona," stated Test Team Manager Dickie Stanford albeit giving little away. "Running the interim FW30, we concentrated on running slick tyres and testing the 2009 rear wing. Nico completed 116 laps with no problems.”

Nico Rosberg will take over tomorrow.

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