Pastor Maldonado says he is feeling no pressure ahead of his grand prix debut © Sutton Images
Williams' Pastor Maldonado has said that he wants to score points on his Formula One debut in Melbourne this weekend.
The Venezuelan replaced Nico Hulkenberg over the winter, and has had an encouraging pre-season in the new FW33. Despite admitting he has to focus on developing the car as well as his own performance, Maldonado said he is fully prepared for the task ahead.
"I feel more than ready to start my first season in Formula One," he said. "I have never been to Melbourne before but we've done a good amount of testing which will add to the time I have spent learning the circuit in our simulator. I am now just looking forward to going racing. It will be a very exciting moment. My aim this weekend is to get a solid finish, and to score some points."
Team-mate Rubens Barrichello starts his second season with Williams, and said that he is anxious to get out on track, with the postponement of the Bahrain Grand Prix having already delayed the start of the season by two weeks.
"Everyone is doubly excited about the first race as we should already have been racing by now," Barrichello said. "It was great to get more time at home with the kids but I want to get started and can't wait to see the red lights go out in Melbourne and for the season to be officially underway."
Barrichello also admitted that he likes to aim high before the start of the season, despite not currently having a car to challenge for the title.
"It is always an exciting moment when everyone lines up on the grid with no points on the board. I always fantasise a little about what could be, but I keep my feet on the ground and focus on the race ahead. I am absolutely looking forward to getting to Australia."
Technical director Sam Michael also confirmed that while the team would run a similar car to that which finished testing, it would be bringing some upgrades to Melbourne.
"The FW33 is fully prepared for the first race of the season," Michael said. "Regarding the aero package, we have all the parts that we ran on the final days of testing in Barcelona, plus a few additional changes that we will test on Friday."
Credit: ESPN F1 (en.espnf1.com)
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