Pastor Maldonado is confident about his seat in 2012

The sponsorship contract between the Williams team and the company PDVSA is currently being reviewed by Venezuelan authorities to determine its validity and ascertain the exact amount paid by the oil company. Indeed, a parliamentarian named Carlos Ramos recently requested the structure based in Grove, Great Britain, to provide documents concerning the team’s links with Venezuela’s national oil company, as the congress has oversight over this type of contract and the financial stakes involved.

However, the sponsorship relationship linking the two entities is key to Pastor Maldonado’s presence as a regular driver this season in the British team. And a potential challenge to the contract could be fatal for the 26-year-old driver who owes his presence in F1 not only to his GP2 title…

However, Pastor Maldonado doesn’t seem too worried about his seat and his position as a starter for next season: “I don’t know exactly what’s going on, and to be honest, I’m not worried about all that. I’m doing my best, I think I’m doing the job as it should be done, and I trust my country, the sponsor, and the team,” adding, “I’m really happy to be here, and obviously, I would like to continue.”

To the question of whether the sponsorship contract between Williams and PDVSA was above reproach, the young driver responds affirmatively: « There is no problem. I don’t know the exact terms of the contract, but it is an important and responsible company that does things seriously, and I believe everything is in order ».

At the start of the Grand Prix weekend in Brazil, the Williams team is ranked 9th in the constructors’ championship with just 5 points scored, only one of which was earned by Pastor Maldonado…