Brazilian Bruno Senna has signed with Williams for the Formula 1 season, the British team announced on Tuesday (local time).

Senna, the nephew of three-time world champion Ayrton, will partner Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado.

The 28-year-old made his Formula 1 debut with Hispania in 2010, and replaces countryman Rubens Barrichello in the seat of the Williams.

Team principal Frank Williams said they had put Senna through several tests before deciding to sign him.

"The circumstances of Bruno's two seasons in Formula 1 have not given him an ideal opportunity to deliver consistently so it was essential that we spent as much time with him as possible to understand and evaluate him as a driver," Williams said.

"We have done this both on track and in our simulator and he has proven quick, technically insightful and above all capable of learning and applying his learning quickly and consistently. Now, we are looking forward to seeing that talent in our race car."

Senna said he was excited by the opportunity, particularly driving for a team his uncle - the last driver to perish in an F1 race - had competed for.

"It will be very interesting to drive for a team that my uncle has driven for, particularly as quite a few of the people here actually worked with Ayrton," Senna said.

"Hopefully we can bring back some memories and create some great new ones too."