Engaged by Lotus for the 2014 season, Pastor Maldonado has left the Williams team, for which he raced for three seasons from 2011 to 2013. The Venezuelan driver has been replaced in the Grove team by Felipe Massa, who, on his side, has left the Ferrari team where he raced since 2006.<\/p>\n
For Maldonado, the Brazilian’s decision to join Williams F1 is a good choice: \u00ab I spoke with Felipe and I think he made the right decision. \u00bb A decision primarily motivated by the need for a change of environment, according to the new Lotus driver: \u00ab First, just for the change because he hasn’t had success with Ferrari in recent years, \u00bb he explained to the Brazilian site TotalRace<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Not sure, however, that he wouldn’t achieve more success within the team led by Claire Williams: \u00ab It is also true that Williams has spent many years without major successes, but I think the team can start to regain its former position. \u00bb Williams’ last victory dates back to the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix, won precisely by Pastor Maldonado after starting from pole position. On the other hand, in the championship, Williams hasn’t won any titles since 1997, when Jacques Villeneuve clinched the drivers’ championship and the team the constructors’ championship.<\/p>\n
\u00ab I’m not talking about winning, but about consistently being in the points and performing at the level of Sauber or the other midfield teams, \u00bb cautiously states the man backed by PDVSA, before concluding: \u00ab Felipe is a good driver, and Williams is a good team. I see no reason why they shouldn’t have a good season. \u00bb<\/p>\n