Starting this year, Bruno Senna will hit the Formula One starting grid as a driver for Williams—18 years after his uncle Ayrton Senna died while racing for the same tea, in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. In fact, the younger Senna will be working with some of the same people who worked with his now-legendary uncle.

Bruno has already driven for HRT and Renault in Formula One, but never entirely found his niche; Williams principal Frank Williams, however, seems to believe the 28-year-old driver will find success at his team. “He has proven quick, technically insightful and above all capable of learning and applying his learning quickly and consistently,” Williams told CNN. “Now we are looking forward to seeing that talent in our race car.”

Senna, for his part, appears to be looking forward to following and building upon the rich legacy of his uncle. “”It will be very interesting to drive for a team that my uncle has driven for,” he said. “Hopefully we can bring back some memories and create some great new ones too. I also want to get some good results in return for the support my country has given me.”

But Senna’s gain is Rubens Barrichello’s loss, as the 39-year-old F1 veteran has been bumped off the Williams ticket to make room for Bruno. The 2012 Formula One season begins in two months, and the only team with a slot still available is HRT. Looks like Barrichello will have to retire to spend more time with his money. [via CNN]