Rosberg in at Williams

GP2 Series champion Nico Rosberg has taken the second drive in the Williams Formula One team for 2006.

Rosberg, who races under the German flag in deference to his country of birth and his mother’s nationality, will join Mark Webber at the team, which will use Cosworth engines next season.

The news provides a romantic link with the past for Williams and Cosworth, which won the world title with Rosberg’s Finnish father Keke in 1982.

“It’s a dream come true,” said 20-year-old Rosberg.  “I’m not intimidated by Formula One — it’s like at every stage of your career: the team gets bigger, the cars get faster, but what you’re driving is still a racing car. My target for next year is just to be successful and have some good results. That depends on the car and everything else, of course.

“I acknowledge the historical aspect, but there’s no real comparison — although it is a special thought to consider that I am part of the same very successful team as my dad.”

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Dutchman Christijan Albers has secured the funding for a second year in F1. Albers, who drove for Minardi in 2005, will switch to the Midland-Toyota team. Second driver could be Narain Karthikeyan, Tiago Monteiro or Alex Wurz.