- Williams
Maldonado certain of seat without funding
Pastor Maldonado is sure he will be in Formula One next year even if his main backer PDVSA withdraws from the sport.
PDVSA's deal with Williams has been terminated early, with Maldonado also leaving the team after this weekend's Brazilian Grand Prix. Despite not having a deal in place yet for 2014, Maldonado said he is certain that he will remain in the sport and that he has a clear number one choice of team for next season.
"For sure it's very important [to get a deal done early], but sometimes when you're negotiating it takes some time," Maldonado said. "It's taking some time but it's quite clear I will be in Formula One and it's quite clear where and everything … I still have some options but I have my preference. It's my personal view, I've been discussing it with my manager, the people who support me, my backers, my father, the close people who are supporting me at the moment and we've got a decision. I hope to discover that soon."
Talking about PDVSA's involvement, Maldonado said it wasn't yet clear if it will continue to be involved in Formula One.
"They have been supporting me for a while but maybe they don't want to continue. They left Williams from [after] this race, and I don't know exactly if they want to continue … maybe not, maybe yes, we will see. I don't have the 100% that they want to continue, if they want to go for another team or not. That will be down to them.
"I've been so lucky that they've supported my career - not only Formula One because Formula One is a bit more easy as I won the junior series - but I've been so lucky that they supported me in the junior series to show my potential, to become GP2 champion, Formula Renault champion or whatever."
Asked if he was 100% sure if he'd be in Formula One even if PDVSA pulls out, Maldonado replied: "Yeah, for sure."
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