Lotus F1 Team has announced that Pastor Maldonado will occupy the vacant seat left following Kimi Raikkonen’s departure at Scuderia Ferrari for the 2014 Formula One season.
The Venezuelan driver joins Lotus after three years with Williams F1, for which he scored one win and 47 career points in 58 starts. Maldonado will drive alongside Romain Grosjean, who will be staying with Lotus for the third consecutive season.
"It is a fantastic opportunity for me to join Lotus F1 Team for 2014. It's no secret that I have wanted a change of scene to help push on with my Formula 1 career and Lotus F1 Team offered the very best opportunity for me to be competitive next season. The regulations and cars will change significantly so it is a very good time for a fresh start. I can't wait to be racing in black and gold,” said Maldonado.
Lotus F1 finished the 2013 season in fourth position, behind Red Bull, Mercedees AMG and Scuderia Ferrari. In the drivers’ championship, Kimi Raikkonen ranked fifth, while Romain Grosjean scored a seventh position finish. Maldonado gathered only one point with Williams F1.
"It is a fantastic opportunity for me to join Lotus F1 Team for 2014. It's no secret that I have wanted a change of scene to help push on with my Formula 1 career and Lotus F1 Team offered the very best opportunity for me to be competitive next season. The regulations and cars will change significantly so it is a very good time for a fresh start. I can't wait to be racing in black and gold,” said Maldonado.
Lotus F1 finished the 2013 season in fourth position, behind Red Bull, Mercedees AMG and Scuderia Ferrari. In the drivers’ championship, Kimi Raikkonen ranked fifth, while Romain Grosjean scored a seventh position finish. Maldonado gathered only one point with Williams F1.