Given at Lotus in 2014, Maldonado vows loyalty to Williams
Although rumors suggest he could potentially succeed Kimi Räikkönen at Lotus if the Finn moves to Red Bull, Pastor Maldonado pledges loyalty to the Williams team and states that he wants to win the title with the Grove-based team before seeing if the grass is greener elsewhere.
As the 2014 season appears more than ever at the center of discussions, especially regarding engines, the approach of summer once again coincides with the emergence of the first transfer rumors. Since the Malaysian Grand Prix, where Sebastian Vettel snatched victory from Mark Webber, all eyes have turned to Red Bull, where the Australian seems unlikely to stay much longer, with Dietrich Mateschitz officially placing Kimi Räikkönen on his radar to succeed the native of Queanbeyan.
In light of Lotus’s financial situation, which reported 66 million euros in losses for the 2012 financial year, the Finn might indeed be tempted to see if the grass is greener at Milton Keynes, which would leave at least one seat available at Lotus. In Montreal, where the Canadian Grand Prix is taking place this weekend, the paddock has echoed rumors of Pastor Maldonado heading to Enstone, replacing the 2007 world champion: « The arrival of PDVSA [the Venezuelan oil company backing the current Williams driver] as a title sponsor would obviously be welcome for [Lotus owner] Gérard Lopez, » confides Marco Canseco, correspondent for the Spanish newspaper Marca.
As the Williams team is experiencing a most disappointing season so far, and while they will change engine partners again in 2014, the winner of the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix might be tempted to go to Lotus, which today seems to be in a much better position to allow him to repeat his Barcelona feat. Yet, despite the rumors, the Caracas native swears loyalty to Sir Frank’s team: “I am 100% focused on this car. We are going through a tough time but that can happen to any team. I believe I am in the best team a young driver, wishing to achieve something in Formula 1, can aspire to,” comments the Venezuelan in the columns of Marca. “Williams is not a small team, it’s a historic team that is trying to regain its [front-running] position and I want to fight for the title with them. We have everything it takes to get there and I want to win with them before going anywhere else.”
