Managed by Michael Schumacher's manager Willi Weber, Nico Hulkenberg rose through the karting ranks in Germany before making his single seater debut in Formula BMW in 2005 and taking the title at a canter.

Hulkenberg competed in German F3 in 2006 while also racing in the A1GP series. It would prove a strong season with Hulkenberg notching up nine wins en route to the championship.

Hulkenberg was invited to join the Williams team in testing in December 2007 and shortly afterwards was confirmed as the team's test driver for the 2008 season.