Maldonado: Just being in F1 not enough

[Jericoke]

Reading between the lines at GPUpdate, it looks like winning a race has taken all the fun out of the sport for Maldonado.

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/301360/maldonado-just-being-in-f1-not-enough/

He's not the first athlete to be frustrated when going from the top of the world to the bottom of the barrel, but it seems to be a common complaint amongst non-Vettel race winners. 

Bring back Kobiashi.  There's a guy who appreciated how lucky he was to be in F1, and respectfully accepted what the sport gave him.

[Ian]

Yeh Jeri, I liked old Kobi.

[John S]

Getting to F1 is hard enough so I guess for a year or two most drivers will accept just being on the grid is great. However I'm sure once you have tasted a win, and not through adverse weather or others falling off in numbers ahead, you know you are one of the elite bunch so it must come hard to not have the machinery to make the top step, or even the podium again.

I think it is a good sign that drivers like Pastor are hungry for more than just making up the numbers, which let's be honest the Williams boys have been doing this year. Let's hope Massa doesn't just elect to make up the numbers now his Ferrari career is at an end.

 

[F1fanaticBD]

I think he is putting pressure on his team on behalf of his sponsor. He bring a big 35 million with him, and I am sure the people who give him this money does not want see him out of Q1 regularly and only mentioned when he cause big shunt. Last year he won a grand prix, flew the Venezuelan flag on the top of the podium for the first time, his sponsors want the repetition of that, and his tone surely points out to that. I wonder without that sort of a backing will any team would have like to appoint this crash-happy driver 

I love Kobayashi as well, but unfortunately he does not bring that much of cash with him. Last year in Suzuka that was one hell of a emotional podium, as if he had won the Grand Prix.

[Jericoke]

Getting to F1 is hard enough so I guess for a year or two most drivers will accept just being on the grid is great. However I'm sure once you have tasted a win, and not through adverse weather or others falling off in numbers ahead, you know you are one of the elite bunch so it must come hard to not have the machinery to make the top step, or even the podium again.

I think it is a good sign that drivers like Pastor are hungry for more than just making up the numbers, which let's be honest the Williams boys have been doing this year. Let's hope Massa doesn't just elect to make up the numbers now his Ferrari career is at an end.

 

I truly believe that in terms of drivers, F1 is in a golden age.  There are plenty of champions on the gride.  Plenty of race winners.  Drivers like Webber and Massa would have been worthy champions if luck had gone their way.  Drivers like Rosberg, Hulkenberg and Sutil would be worthy champions if the giants in the sport weren't in their way.

Even 'reckless' drivers like Grosjean and Maldonado have shown growth and promise.  They do 'deserve' a shot with top cars... but there's at least 10 other drivers who are just as good who deserve those seats too.

F1 has the driver talent pool brimming.  Looking for the next Fangio, Senna or Schumacher is easier than ever.  Now they need to make it easier to find the next Newey, Champman, McLaren or Todt who can really build a team/car into a winner.

[cosworth151]

Don't forget Kubica before his rally shunt. I think he showed WDC potential, too.

[Jericoke]

Don't forget Kubica before his rally shunt. I think he showed WDC potential, too.

I think we could create quite a list of talented drivers who just didn't have the right equipment at the prime of their careers.

Kubica, Kobiashi, Fisichella, Panis, Heidfeld, Frentzen. 

I'd even add Barichello to the list.  Stewart regretted never having the car that he felt Reubans deserved.

[cosworth151]

I would have liked to see Allan McNish get a ride in a decent car. He's always done very well in sports cars. I think he would have done well.

And, of course, Jarno Trulli.   

[F1fanaticBD]

Rumors say that Maldonado has approached Lotus with his cash for a race seat, but Williams are not tensed as they have a PDVSA contract for upto 2015.

[Scott]

Considering the pace Maldo has shown when they've provided him the car, he might not be a bad candidate for the Lotus.  Maybe the money wouldn't come with him, but maybe he'd drive for nothing.  Win, win.

[F1fanaticBD]

Considering the pace Maldo has shown when they've provided him the car, he might not be a bad candidate for the Lotus.  Maybe the money wouldn't come with him, but maybe he'd drive for nothing.  Win, win.

Would he be a better choice than The Hulk? In my opinion NO. Period.

[John S]

Rumors say that Maldonado has approached Lotus with his cash for a race seat, but Williams are not tensed as they have a PDVSA contract for upto 2015.

I wonder who Venezuela would put in the Williams car if Pastor jacks it in?

  - Johnny Cecotto???     If 'Wrecker' Roman got just a one race ban we could expect Cecotto to be missing for half the season.   

   

[Scott]

Would he be a better choice than The Hulk? In my opinion NO. Period.

Unless Lotus is looking for some cash, which Maldo may or may not bring with him (maybe PDVSA has an escape clause?).  Not sure the backing Hulk has.

[F1fanaticBD]

Would he be a better choice than The Hulk? In my opinion NO. Period.

Unless Lotus is looking for some cash, which Maldo may or may not bring with him (maybe PDVSA has an escape clause?).  Not sure the backing Hulk has.

The rumor says that Williams have checked it by a lawyer in London, and it was said be as tight as can get. So unless he gets more from PDVSA, he is a driver to be reckon with only by his merit

[vintly]

Considering the pace Maldo has shown when they've provided him the car, he might not be a bad candidate for the Lotus.  Maybe the money wouldn't come with him, but maybe he'd drive for nothing.  Win, win.

Would he be a better choice than The Hulk? In my opinion NO. Period.

AGREED.