Williams confirms Maldonado for 2011

Williams F1 has announced that Pastor Maldonado will be racing for the team on the 2011 FIA Formula One World Championship. With this confirmation the team has now completed its lineup for next season after having confirmed in November that Rubens Barrichello would maintain his link with the AT&T Williams team.

Having started his motorsport career in karts at the age of seven, Venezuelan-born Maldonado caught his passion for the sport from his father and uncles who all competed. Pastor won seven national karting titles and then moved to Formula racing in 2003. Having won three series championships and reaching the top place in the podium on 30 occasions, his most impressive victory was in Monaco in his debut year in GP2 in 2007. At the age of 25, Maldonado his expected to bring a wealth of experience to the team.

The promotion of Maldonado to the elite of Formula One follows a staggering 2010 campaign in the GP2 championship. Besides being crowned champion the Venezuelan driver became the first to win six successive feature races in a single season.

As for his F1 experience, Pastor Maldonado already counts with nearly 2,000kms of F1 testing mileage, after driving for Williams in all four of the Abu Dhabi test days. Pastor will make his debut in the team’s 2011 race car, the Williams Cosworth FW33, in February’s winter test programme.

“Pastor first caught my eye in 2007 when he drove a masterful race at Monaco. Since then, he has regularly reminded us of his unquestionable talent with some skilful wins, particularly during this year’s GP2 championship, taking an unsurpassed record of six successive victories. Of course, we already know Pastor from the time he spent with the team at the Abu Dhabi test, but we are very much looking forward to developing his talent over the winter and a fruitful season with him next year,” said AT&T Williams Team Principal, Frank Williams about Pastor’s appointment.

As for Pastor Maldonado he said, “I feel very privileged that Williams has selected me as one of their race drivers. It is a great way to end what has already been an amazing year for me. I tested with the team in Abu Dhabi, but can’t wait to start working with everyone properly to be in the best possible shape going into next year. I will be doing my best over the winter to prepare myself, and I know the team will be working hard to ensure a successful season. 2011 will be the first time in nearly thirty years that a Venezuelan has driven a Formula One car so I will be looking to get some good results in return for the support my country has given me to help get me to this position today.”