- Lotus
Maldonado happier at Lotus than he was at Williams
Pastor Maldonado is enjoying life at Lotus more than when he was at Williams, despite the two teams' reversals in fortunes this year.
After three years at Williams, Maldonado left the team for Lotus over the winter, bringing PDVSA backing with him. However, Lotus has struggled under the new engine regulations while Williams - using Mercedes power - has become a regular podium contender. But Maldonado, who will stay at Lotus next year, says he is still happier at his new team.
"I'm feeling better," he said. "I was not feeling really bad at Williams, I felt good, especially in my first two years when I won and also when I first started with Rubens [Barrichello] as a team-mate. I learned a lot and I feel pleased to have been part of a big legend like Williams in Formula One.
"But last year I felt like it was the time to discover something else for myself. We were not getting progression in terms of development, but for sure I knew that this year would not be a repeat of 2013 [for Williams] because they got the Mercedes engine and they have a good car. The extra power is helping them quite a lot in my opinion.
"At Lotus, in the past, they used to have some of the best cars in Formula One, always really clean and good. This year maybe the package is not working together, but it's not that the car is really bad because our numbers are quite good in terms of downforce and efficiency. Now maybe the biggest problem is the lack of power and the big difference between engines."
Maldonado said the two teams have very different philosophies.
"They are both very professional, both world champion teams, but both completely different. In different ways they can reach the same results, but for sure they have different philosophies to work and to build and design the cars."
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