5 Reasons Why Maldonado Might Be Forced Out Of F1 Very Soon

Rumour has it Pastor Maldonado could be replaced at Renault for 2016, possibly by Kevin Magnussen. Here's why we should believe the gossip...
5 Reasons Why Maldonado Might Be Forced Out Of F1 Very Soon

According to the Telegraph, ex-McLaren driver Kevin Magnussen is in talks with Renault’s F1 team over a seat, possibly replacing Pastor Maldonado.

He reportedly visited the Enstone factory for two days last week, most likely to discuss a reserve role, but the Telegraph claims Maldonado’s position at Renault could be under threat. Here are a few reasons why that might be the case.

1. Issues with PVDSA

5 Reasons Why Maldonado Might Be Forced Out Of F1 Very Soon

Maldonado has long been sponsored by Venezuela’s state oil firm PDVSA, providing a considerable amount of money for him to drive in F1 – hence why he is often referred to as a “pay driver”. But recent corruption scandals, lower oil prices and political uncertainty have put Maldonado’s sponsorship at risk. Plus, the BBC reports that PDVSA’s payment of around £35million is several weeks overdue.

2. Does Renault need sponsorship?

5 Reasons Why Maldonado Might Be Forced Out Of F1 Very Soon

But the question is, now Lotus has been taken over by Renault, is a sponsor providing such a big sum really necessary? Without PDVSA, the team would still have a healthy budget and keep on going in F1. It wouldn’t be a threat to its involvement in the sport, that’s for sure.

Lotus was sold back to Renault for just £1, but of course the French manufacturer then took on and had to pay off the considerable debts it had built up. Now those at the team have the security they need and that shouldn’t change if a big sponsor like PDVSA disappears.

3. Magnussen is a talented chap

5 Reasons Why Maldonado Might Be Forced Out Of F1 Very Soon

Kevin Magnussen has certainly not been given the opportunities he deserves in F1. He made his F1 debut with McLaren in 2014, scoring a podium on his debut and regularly matching and beating team-mate Jenson Button.

Fernando Alonso’s arrival demoted the Dane to the reserve driver role and with opportunities at McLaren drying up, he decided to part ways at the end of 2015. Now he is on the hunt for a fresh start and he is certainly an attractive option for teams – young, but clearly very quick and already with experience under his belt. Surely he would be a better option than Maldonado?

4. Lack of results

5 Reasons Why Maldonado Might Be Forced Out Of F1 Very Soon

Maldonado has scored a victory in Formula 1. He has proved several times he has speed and some talent. But he just makes too many mistakes and fails to perform too often. He scored 27 points in 2015 compared to Lotus team-mate Romain Grosjean’s 51 and has, of course, developed a reputation as an error-prone, hot-headed driver. Magnussen could be a much safer pair of hands for Renault.

5. Spare parts bill

5 Reasons Why Maldonado Might Be Forced Out Of F1 Very Soon

We all know and love Maldonado for his unpredictability, mistakes and crashes. Many jokes have been said about him, but having the reputation he has also brings with it lots of extra costs, especially in the spare parts department. A front wing alone costs around £150,000 each, and we dread to think how many he has broken…

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Comments

Anonymous

the title for nr 1 is misspelled

01/13/2016 - 13:21 |
0 | 0
D1visor

“but having the reputation he has also brings with it lots of extra costs”. What? I seriously had to read this about 3 times. Needs some punctuation otherwise it sounds weird :<

01/13/2016 - 13:22 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Are we still looking for excuses? Throw him away already…

01/13/2016 - 13:22 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

150,000 per front wing? please someone count up how many crashes hes been involved in that damage the front wing. im genuinely curious about it now

01/13/2016 - 13:29 |
7 | 0
Anonymous

In reply to by Anonymous (not verified)

I couldn’t get the exact figures but from what I’ve counted he crashed 7 times involving the front wing in 2014. So:

7 X £150,000 = £1,050,000

And that’s just for 2014.

01/13/2016 - 15:53 |
6 | 0
AL1-07

Good, Magnussen definitely deserves that seat. F1 needs to be based on how good a driver is, not how much money they bring.

01/13/2016 - 13:37 |
3 | 0
Fat Beckham

This really has made my day. I’ve absolutely no respect for him whatsoever, and he has no right to even be in F1 to start off with. He broke a marshals by ignoring double waved yellows and was banned from Monaco for life…but as usual, money talks and the whole incident has been quietly swept under the carpet. The fact he showed no remorse for that negates any story about him ‘being a lovely chap in the paddock’ - if my pointless streak was as long as his, I’d be humble too!! He might be fast on the odd day, but so’s a wrecking ball in full swing, doesn’t mean you can control it and in a car worth several million, that’s kind of key skill to have… Let’s face it, the majority of drivers would be quick if they didn’t bother braking for other competitors, flags, pit lane entries, corners… Good riddance to him, he won’t be missed.

01/13/2016 - 13:43 |
5 | 1
George Grey
01/13/2016 - 14:56 |
39 | 0

Truly his name should be Crashtor Maldonator.

01/14/2016 - 15:34 |
2 | 0
Jordan Mellinger

He’s the only reason I watch F1

01/13/2016 - 16:47 |
1 | 1
Anonymous

First of all magnussen should be replaced by Stoffel Vandoorne…

01/13/2016 - 18:06 |
0 | 0
Tareim

I’ve found the issue with the sponsor, they can’t decided what to call themselves…

01/13/2016 - 18:26 |
1 | 0