Bruno Senna will race for Williams in the 2012 season, following in the footsteps of his late uncle Ayrton, who was killed in a Williams F1 car while leading the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.

The former constructors’ champions — who despite uncharacteristically poor performance for many years have carried Senna’s name on all their cars ever since that fateful May afternoon at Imola — said in a statement that the 28-year-old would partner Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado. Senna, who made his Formula One debut with the upstart HRT team in 2010 and competed in the last eight races for Renault last year as a stand-in, will start testing with Williams at Spain’s Jerez circuit in early February.

“If you think I’m fast, you should see my nephew” — Ayrton Senna 1993. Can’t wait, now that he has a better drive!

Bruno Senna signs for Williams, following in Ayrton’s F1 footsteps | WN.com.