Maldonado accuses Williams of favouritism

Departing driver says they are inclined towards rookie teammate Bottas.


Reuters November 17, 2013
“I think in my car somebody is playing with the pressure and the temperatures, you need to ask the team, to the guys that are working on the car, it is quite clear,” says Maldonado. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE

AUSTIN: Williams rejected any suggestion of favouritism or dirty tricks after their departing driver Pastor Maldonado made thinly-veiled accusations against the Formula One team.

Maldonado, who is leaving the next week’s finale, said the team favoured Finnish rookie teammate Valtteri Bottas.

“I think in my car somebody is playing with the pressure and the temperatures,” he said. “You need to ask the team, to the guys that are working on the car, it is quite clear.”

The divorce between last year’s Spanish Grand Prix winner and the team was sealed earlier in the week when Williams announced Maldonado would be leaving and Ferrari’s Brazilian Felipe Massa taking his place.

Williams deputy team principal Claire Williams dismissed his words as merely those of a frustrated driver speaking in the heat of the moment.

“It’s a big adrenaline rush for drivers, isn’t it?,” she said. “But never in Williams would we do anything like that.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 18th, 2013.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ