It’s now official – Pastor Maldonado will drive for Lotus in 2014.
The Venezuelan proved irresistible to the Enstone squad with his injection of PDVSA bolívars, coupled with the non-event of the mysterious Quantum investment.
If the evidence wasn’t already there, this news confirms the path Formula One has been heading in for some time — that money speaks far louder than potential.
German ace Nico Hülkenberg finds himself overlooked yet again, having already missed out on a Ferrari drive in favour of returnee, Kimi Räikkönen.
Hülkenberg himself is set to return to Force India, where he will lick his wounds and wonder aloud what he has to do the get a break.
A berth at Ferrari in twelve months’ time should Fernando Alonso end his Italian love affair, which has strained considerably this season, and make a sensational return to McLaren might represent his last chance to crack the big time.
It represents his fourth change of outfit in four seasons on the grid, and his third team overall, certainly not ideal for somebody wanting to build a competitive team around them long-term.
Back to Maldonado — his CV is hardly inspiring, in fifty-eight starts at Williams, he registered points on just seven occasions.
Aside from his fine victory at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix, he has never finished higher than fifth, making that triumph seem nothing more than an anomaly.
The 28-year old scored just one point in the recently concluded season, ultimately beaten by rookie team-mate, Valtteri Bottas, and he departed the Grove outfit on a bitter note, having accused the team of sabotaging his car at Austin.
His reputation for using opponents as brakes is hardly inspiring, though he cleaned up his act somewhat in his latest campaign, he is still prone to a rush of blood to the head, which is unacceptable in a front-running car.
It would be unwise to completely dismiss Maldonado at this early stage, but the critics will be out in full force if he doesn’t achieve anything eye catching in his first four or five races, considering the Lotus was the second best car on the grid for the back half of this season.
Romain Grosjean has every reason to assume he will be Lotus’ number-one driver when Australia rolls around, he himself shed the reckless image which dogged his first full season.
The Frenchman if anything could prove a role model to Maldonado in how to turn fortunes around and change the public perception, but nothing in the Venezuelan’s career to date indicates this is possible…
Looking for great odds on racing and sport? Get into the action with PlayUp today. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
The Australian finished second but had to work for it, as he fought off food poisoning, a race day engine change, and his own overheating body.
Nico Hulkenberg's move to a German team will hopefully bring back some of the German flare Formula 1 had just seven years ago.
Given how exclusive and precious a commodity scoring an F1 point is, why is it that mediocrity should be rewarded?
Team Penske is under the same umbrella of ownership as the IndyCar Series itself, so it was imperative for to drop the hammer and protect their integrity—which, thankfully, they did.
Red Bull can’t rest on its laurels and if Perez can’t provide them with cover on the rare days that Verstappen is having trouble, it's time to look elsewhere.
The absolute vitriol against the Canadian that has come from the incident is beyond reprehensible.
