• Williams news

Car key to Maldonado future

Pastor Maldonado wants to remain at Williams but is keen for the team to deliver more consistently © Getty Images

Enlarge

Pastor Maldonado says a key component in deciding his future for next season is getting the fastest car possible to drive.

After three seasons with Williams, Maldonado has been linked with the vacancy at Lotus in 2014 following Kimi Raikkonen's decision to return to Ferrari. Speaking exclusively to ESPN, Maldonado was asked what another team would have to offer him to tempt him away from Williams and said the car was his main concern.

"For sure I would like to be in Red Bull, because it's the fastest car," Maldonado told ESPN. "I would like the fastest car to drive because it should be the best, but there are only two drivers there. We need to see. I hope next year here with the new car, new engine, new regulations … they have been working very hard. They've replaced some personnel in the team, we have new people, new people will arrive. In my opinion the restructuring of the team is going in a good way and I hope to stay. I hope to stay; maybe it's a safe decision but you never know, the market is still open."

Despite any uncertainty over his future, Maldonado reiterated he hopes to remain with Williams because he feels comfortable with the team.

"To be honest I'm not feeling so good with the car and that's obvious. Last year we were always fighting for Q3 and this year we are miles away from where we were but I feel really good in the team. I have good relationships, good people around me, good engineers, good feelings, so we need to value all that very well and I hope I will stay."

Chris Medland is assistant editor at ESPNF1

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.