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Kazuki is the son of Satoru Nakajima, who between 1987 and 1991 contested 74 Grands Prix with Lotus and Tyrrell.
Under the guidance of his father, Kazuki began Karting in his early teens, gradually making his mark and winning the Suzuka Formula ICA Karting Championship.
In 2002, aged 17, he won a scholarship with the Formula Toyota Racing School, going on to win the Formula Toyota Championship a year later.
By now a part of Toyota's Young Drivers Program, Kazuki moved up to the Japanese F3 Championship in 2004, finishing fifth overall. He remained in the series in 2005, this time finishing runner-up, in addition to taking part in a number of Super GT GT300 events.
In 2006, Kazuki moved to Europe, contesting the Formula 3 Euroseries, in which he came up against the likes of Sebastian Vettel and Paul di Resta. The Japanese youngster finished seventh overall, but capped his year by being named as Williams second test driver for 2007, the British team having secured a deal to use Toyota engines.
Kazuki took part in a number of tests at the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007, giving a fairly good account of himself as he familiarised himself with the team and the FW29
In addition to his duties with Williams, he also contested the GP2 Series, partnering Nicolas Lapierre at DAMS. Though there were no wins, there were a number of strong performances, most notably at Silverstone, the Nurburgring and at the Hungaroring where he finished second in Race 1. By season end, he was fifth in the Drivers' Championship, his 44 points going some way to helping DAMS secure fifth in the Teams' Championship.
When Alex Wurz made his shock announcement that he was quitting F1 as a race driver - with immediate effect - ahead of the season finale, there was no choice for Williams but to give Kazuki his F1 debut.
Other than a botched pit stop, which saw the youngster knock down one of his crew, it was a strong performance, the Japanese driver bringing the car home in tenth. However, fifth fastest lap of the race, ahead of his own teammate, indicates that Kazuki has raw pace.
For 2008, possibly with some inside help from Toyota, Kazuki will partner Nico Rosberg, giving Williams one of the most inexperienced driver partnerships on the F1 grid, only the Toro Rosso drivers have contested fewer Grands Prix.
However, with the backing of Toyota, there is much interest in Kazuki, and it will be interesting to watch his progress in 2008, especially as Jarno Trulli nears the end of his contract with the Japanese team. On the other hand, Williams may well have finally found the best F1 driver to come out of Japan, time will tell.
Statistics - Prior to 2008 Season
Drivers' Titles: 0
Seasons in F1: 0
Grand Prix: 1
Wins: 0
Points: 0
Poles: 0
Fastest Laps: 0
Best result in 2007: 10th (Brazil)
Best qualifying 2007: 19th (Brazil)
Worst qualifying 2007: 19th (Brazil)
Average grid position 2007: 19
2007: Out-qualified Nico Rosberg 0 times
2007: Out-qualified by Nico Rosberg 1 time
2007: Completed 70 out of 71 laps (98.59%)
2007: Finished 1 time from 1 start (82%)
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