Williams Grand Prix F1 Team has confirmed that Pastor Maldonado will join the team as Rubens Barrichello's teammate for the 2011 season.Maldonado recently completed a successful evaluation for Williams at the season ending Abu Dhabi young drivers test and he is the newly crowned GP2 champion following the American-originated champion tradition for the Grove-based F1 team that includes Ayrton Senna, Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya. He takes over the seat vacated by 2010 race driver Nico Hulkenberg who has left the team recently.
Sir Frank Williams commented:
"Pastor first caught my eye in 2007 when he drove a masterful race at Monaco. Since then, he has regularly reminded us of his unquestionable talent with some skilful wins, particularly during this year's GP2 championship, taking an unsurpassed record of six successive victories.
Of course, we already know Pastor from the time he spent with the team at the Abu Dhabi test, but we are very much looking forward to developing his talent over the winter and a fruitful season with him next year."
Maldonado, who is the first Venezuelan driver in the sport since Jonny Cecotto in 1984, expressed his delight at joining a long list of famous drivers at the team and he commented during his presentation.
"I feel very privileged that Williams has selected me as one of their race drivers.It is a great way to end what has already been an amazing year for me. I tested with the team in Abu Dhabi, but can't wait to start working with everyone properly to be in the best possible shape going into next year.
I will be doing my best over the winter to prepare myself, and I know the team will be working hard to ensure a successful season. 2011 will be the first time in nearly thirty years that a Venezuelan has driven a Formula One car so I will be looking to get some good results in return for the support my country has given me to help get me to this position today."
It is rumoured that Maldonado's recruitment is backed by Venezuelan oil companies that would provide to the team the essential financial backup for the forthcoming 2011 F1 season.
