Nico Hulkenberg won’t drive a better circuit than this in 2010.

The Williams driver lapped the Nurburgring Nordschleife in a Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid. The car uses F1-derived KERS technology supplied by Williams Hybrid Power.

Hulkenberg was equally enthusiastic about the car and the 20.8km (12.9 miles), 154-turn track:

This test was great fun. I’m impressed with how well the hybrid system works in the Porsche. This circuit is unique – you can’t compare it to any other track in the world. This is certainly not the last time I’ll drive here. Surprisingly, in the slow corners, the 911 is not far off a Formula 1 car. The mechanical grip is impressive.

Nico Hulkenberg

Porsche didn’t issue any lap times for his three-lap run. Hulkenberg added: “Great car, fascinating technology and an incomparable track.”

The car uses two 82 bhp electric motors and flywheel generators to provide a power boost which the driver can use on-demand, similar to the system Williams developed for F1 last year but never raced.

Porsche believe the system is more efficient than a battery-based Kinetic Energy Recovery System:

Compared to a battery, the flywheel generator has the advantage of storing and delivering high amounts of energy considerably quicker. Thanks to its sophisticated electronic control, the innovative hybrid drive of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid automatically provides optimal efficiency at racing speed. The combination of the combustion engine and electric motors fulfils a simple objective: Less fuel consumption without compromising performance. When overtaking or accelerating out of a bend, the driver can manually override the controls by pressing the boost paddle on the steering wheel and sending energy from the charged flywheel generator to the front axle. This additional power of 120 kilowatts is available to the driver after each charge process for approximately six to eight seconds.

The 911 GT3 R Hybrid will content the Nurburgring 24 Hours at the circuit on May 15th and 16th.

Pictures: Hulkenberg on the Nurburgring Nordschleife

Video: Hulkenberg on the Nurburgring Nordschleife