Pastor Maldonado finally speaks out
Relatively quiet since the announcement of his replacement by Felipe Massa in 2014 at Williams F1, Pastor Maldonado opened up in the paddock of the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
« It was my decision. It was more or less made in Singapore, and it was entirely my choice. I think I have given more to this team than what it has given me in return. We won a Grand Prix, we got a very good result last year, and even this year we did well in some races, but that’s not all. I expect more. » Here are the first words from the Venezuelan since the announcement of the non-renewal of his contract in Grove.
Maldonado also said he was very happy. For a few months, I had been in discussions and I wanted to leave. Therefore, it is not a unilateral decision by the team to part ways with the one who had brought Sir Frank Williams’ cars to the top step of the podium last year at the Spanish GP.
Pastor key player in the transfer market
The question now arises about the future of the driver supported by the oil company PDVSA. With a kitty of 30 to 35 million euros, the Venezuelan is in talks with at least three teams. « We are naturally discussing with Lotus, but I also have two other options. We are working on it. » he explains. The two other teams mentioned would be Force India and especially Sauber. Maldonado visited the facilities of the Swiss team in Hinwil. A small hint about the future destination of Venezuelan petrodollars?
Everything remains open, as Gutiérrez has not been confirmed at Sauber and Sirotkin, who was announced with great fanfare as a main driver by the end of the summer, is not yet a definitive option for Monisha Kaltenborn, the Team Principal of the team. At Force India, there is no information about the extension of Sutil and Di Resta’s contracts.
What is certain is that the formalization or not of Pastor in one or the other of the seats currently available will snowball.
