Spain

Last Race: 12th May Spain

Spain GP Results
Pos Driver
1 Fernando Alonso
2 Kimi Raikkonen
3 Felipe Massa

'Williams close to a breakthrough'

Saturday 1st December 2012

'Williams close to a breakthrough'

'Williams close to a breakthrough'

Pastor Maldonado believes 2013 could be a "breakthrough" season for Williams as they attempt to become regular podium visitors.

After a dismal 2011 campaign in which just five points were scored, Williams began to return to form this past season.

Scoring 76 points, the team even bagged a podium finish courtesy of Maldonado's impressive Spanish GP victory.

However, the 76 still meant Williams were down in eighth place in the Constructors' Championship with Toro Rosso the only established team to have scored yet.

Maldonado, though, hopes next season could witness yet another step up the grid for Williams.

"The goal is to be more competitive next year and have a car that is consistently in the points and challenging for podiums," said the Venezuelan.

"This year we showed excellent pace at a number of tracks such as Barcelona, Monaco and Abu Dhabi, but we didn't have the consistency to maintain that at every grand prix.

"We have all the tools needed to push the top teams, and hopefully we can learn from this year and move further up the field."

He added: "Williams is one of the big names in Formula One with a really strong pedigree so it is an honour to be driving for them.

"Whilst we haven't quite achieved the sort of success we would have liked in the past few years, the team is still really strong and we have brought in some new senior people who are making a big difference already.

"I feel that Williams is close to making a real breakthrough and I want to be a part of a new era of success."

As for his long-term goal, the 27-year-old is dreaming of a World title while under Frank Williams' leadership.

"My ambition is to win the World Championship and I'd love to be able to do that with Williams and be alongside some of the greats who have won titles here.

"I feel ready to fight for wins and after tasting success this year I want to experience that again as soon as possible."

User comments

    Loading

      Post a comment

      F1 Dresses Up For Monaco

      Editor's Picks

      NTFN: Kimi's New Job

      NTFN: Kimi's New Job

      Force India are still wrestling with Sutil's nuts allergy, while Kimi Raikkonen has branched out into PR...

      Tyred and Emotional

      Tyred and Emotional

      Andrew Davies sticks his big fat oar into the tyre debate and notes how much the FIA have changed...

      The Forum Is Ready To Chat

      The Forum Is Ready To Chat

      Ferrari came apart (literally), Vettel became the first to two, Lotus put two into the top three and the protests continued. Let's chat...

      The PF1 Fantasy League

      The PF1 Fantasy League

      Join the PlanetF1 Fantasy League and go up against the crew at PF1 in our 2013 Friends and Enemies battle...

      The Benetton Class Of 2001

      The Benetton Class Of 2001

      There's something special about the four Benetton drivers lining up in St Mark's Square - they're all in the 200 Club...