Maldonado wows Venezuelan president
Pastor Maldonado put on a demonstration Friday in front of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez to thank him for his government's support ahead of his debut F1 season with Williams.
The 25-year-old Maldonado, who will team up with Brazil driver Rubens Barrichello at Williams, drove a 2010 car around an improvised track next to a Caracas military base.
"We expect quite a difficult season, but with determination we're going to achieve many successes Of that I am certain," said Maldonado, personally thanking Chavez.
Chavez said he has high hopes for Maldonado as an F1 driver. Addressing him and Venezuelan athletes from other sports, Chavez said: "We will do everything we can for you."
Williams chief executive officer Adam Parr was in Caracas for the exhibition, along with a crew of more than a dozen from the British team.
"Today was very exciting for us as a team to be here in Venezuela, and to be able to show the people of Venezuela what a Formula One car is like," Parr told The Associated Press.
Speaking of Maldonado, he added: "We're very proud to have him in the team, both as an individual and as a representative of his country.
"He's a very talented young man. He's worked very hard to get to this level of his career, having won the GP2 Championship last year. We think he has great potential if he works hard to be a great young Formula One driver."
Maldonado replaces Nico Hulkenberg at Williams. He will be the first Venezuelan in the F1 drivers lineup in 27 years. The last was Johnny Cecotto, in 1983 and '84.
"We are always careful about having expectations because we are in a very, very competitive sport," Parr said. "But we hope to improve compared with 2010 and move forward in the World Championship, and I'd love to hear the national anthems of Venezuela and, of course, Brazil on the podium this year."
Maldonado is sponsored by Venezuela's state oil company Petroleos de Venezuela SA, or PDVSA, who have also agreed a long-term deal with Williams to back the team.
The partnership will see PDVSA's branding on the car and drivers' race overalls.
"They are a substantial partner and can make a meaningful difference to our fighting ability," said team owner Frank Williams.
PDVSA's head of corporate affairs Julio Gonzalez added: "Pastor will fly our flag this year and carry the hopes of an entire country in this new chapter of his career."
Credit: PlanetF1.com (www.planetf1.com)
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