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Maldonado not worried about his reputation

ESPN Staff
September 1, 2013 « Lotus wants to be 'closer' to Renault | McLaren celebrates 50th anniversary »
Pastor Maldonado: "I'm racing, this is racing. My reputation is another thing" © Sutton Images
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Pastor Maldonado does not care what people think of him and, despite his latest brush with the stewards at the Belgian Grand Prix, will continue to race in the same manner.

Maldonado was given a stop-go penalty for clashing with Paul di Resta at Spa-Francorchamps last weekend, a decision he believes was unfair. Last year the Venezuelan racked up a long list of penalties as well as receiving criticism from his rivals, but after his latest indiscretion he said he is not concerned about his reputation in the paddock.

"I'm racing, this is racing. My reputation is another thing," he said. "I will race and if some people think something about me then they are free. I cannot say 'don't think that'."

Asked if he feels as though he is picked on by the stewards, Maldonado said: "If you make a mistake you must be penalised. But the decision they take sometimes can be quite strong. That's my opinion."

But he acknowledged that the stewards have a tough job to do.

"It depends how is the view from their side. It's like football. It's always difficult to say from the outside, and even [difficult to explain] from the inside if you are trying to explain to them and they are not properly in the place. I think what happened in Spa is clear; very clear and obvious. And I think it's unfair that I got the penalty."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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