Rubens Barrichello will find himself in the role of teacher when he lines up for Williams next year.

Rookie team-mate Nico Hulkenberg is planning to put Barrichello's experience to good use when he makes his Formula One debut in 2010.

Veteran Barrichello and German Hulkenberg were confirmed on Monday as the new Williams drivers, replacing Nico Rosberg who is poised to join Brawn GP, and Kazuki Nakajima.

Barrichello is the most experienced driver in F1 history, with the Brazilian starting 284 grands prix since his debut in 1993, winning 11 races and claiming 14 pole positions.

Hulkenberg, who is 15 years Barrichello's junior at the age of 22, believes the 37-year-old is the ideal driver to learn from.

Speaking via a Williams teleconference, Hulkenberg said: "Rubens as a team-mate is pretty positive from my point of view.

"To have a guy with such experience will be a good help for me, for a rookie in F1.

"I'd be stupid not to take advice off him, to see how he works through a race weekend. I think I can learn a lot from him and his experience.

"It couldn't be much better than that, plus he is still quick, a good racer, as we have seen this season, so it's a good package.

"I just want the best team-mate I can get, who is quick, who is experienced and who is a good driver, and that's what I see in him."

It was only seven years ago Hulkenberg was Germany's junior karting champion, since when he has won every championship he has competed in - Formula BMW, A1GP, Formula 3 Euroseries, and last year, GP2.

With a firm belief in his own talent, Hulkenberg feels he will be able to push Barrichello at some stage in the season.

"I hope to be on his pace from the beginning," said Hulkenberg.

"I hope to be able to match his speed and his results, and maybe even beat him at some point.

"I just want to do a consistently good job and get some points.

"Of course, the team have expectations of me otherwise they would not put me in the car, but they're not telling me I have to win next year, or anything like that."

Whether the duo can return Williams to the top of the podium after a five-year absence is another matter.

Hulkenberg, who has been with Williams for the last three years, added: "I certainly hope so.

"I've been in the factory and seen the guys pushing hard, working long hours.

"You never know if the development has been going in the right direction until you race against the other teams, so it's difficult to judge.

"But it's looking positive."