• Williams news

Maldonado pins hopes on upgrade

Pastor Maldonado scored his one and only point at the Belgian Grand Prix © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• Race:
• Indian Grand Prix

• Championship:
• FIA Formula One World Championship

• Drivers:
• Pastor Maldonado

• Teams:
• Williams

Pastor Maldonado is hoping Williams' final upgrade will allow him to fight for more points before the end of the season.

Maldonado has scored just one point in his debut year, as Williams has endured one of the most difficult seasons in its history. With just three races remaining it will add its final upgrade at this weekend's Indian Grand Prix and Maldonado is hoping it gives the car the boost it needs to break the top ten on Sunday.

"At this race we will introduce our last upgrade to the car," Maldonado said on Thursday. "I think looking forward that's going to help a little bit the performance and I hope to be a little bit more competitive, and for sure fight for points. It's not the end, there are still three races to go and I will do my best."

However, he is not so confident about how the car will cope with the hard compound Pirelli tyres, which are making their first appearance since the British Grand Prix in early July.

"I think, for sure, it's not the best combination for our car, but it depends on the track as well. There is a lot to discover. The difference between the [hard and soft] tyres was 1.5 seconds or something like that. Here we don't know, so let's wait until we are outside [on the track]."

With the Williams driver line-up still unconfirmed for 2012, Maldonado said he is hoping to be a part of the team next year and for the long term.

"I didn't get the confirmation at the moment from the manager, but for sure I hope to stay here," he added. "I think the potential is quite big for the team - as a factory, as a [group of] people, as a team. It's a great family and for sure they are pushing hard to become competitive and I will enjoy helping with that if I can, and enjoy some victories and, one day hopefully, the championship."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.