In possibly the least surprising announcement of the winter Williams has finally confirmed that Pastor Maldonado will join the team in 2011.
It was confirmed the day after the Abu Dhabi GP that Nico Hulkenberg had left the team, and with Maldonado subsequently completing four days of testing with Williams and its future gearbox customer HRT you didn’t need to be a rocket scientist to work out who would replace him.
Maldonado brings massive funding from Venezuela but as the current GP2 champion he is obviously more than qualified for an F1 seat. Like Robert Kubica, he is also an ex-Renault Driver Development squad member.
Frank Williams said in a statement: “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 was quoted thus: “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.”
Adam Cooper F1 
No dollars from Qatar then (or not enough of them). What a pity.
Although — do we know whether the contract with Hulkenberg has actually been terminated? Is it possible that Williams could pay him to race at HRT for a year, and then bring him back into the fold next year when the budget is firmer and Rubens retires or Maldonado is jettisoned?
Absolutely correct Adam, Maldonado is well qualified for this seat.
And I find it strange that people are shrieking from the rooftops about Williams taking a pay driver. It’s not as though it hasn’t happened before.
There’s no wasy Kazuki Nakajima would have been in a Williams if the team wasn’t getting Toyota engines as part of the deal.