It's Official: No Pastor Maldonado On The 2016 F1 Grid

Pastor Maldonado confirmed on a social media post that he will not be racing in F1 this season and has left the Renault team
It's Official: No Pastor Maldonado On The 2016 F1 Grid

So there we have it, official confirmation from Pastor Maldonado himself. The Venezuelan driver will not be on the F1 grid in 2016 after exiting the Renault team.

Rumours about Maldonado’s future in F1 picked up pace recently after his sponsor PDVSA hit trouble, due to corruption scandals, the drop in oil prices and late payments.

It's Official: No Pastor Maldonado On The 2016 F1 Grid

Maldonado is a race winner in F1, after finishing first at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix, but his unpredictable, erratic driving style and antics have given the 30-year-old a villainous reputation in the sport.

Now he has confirmed that he will not be racing in F1 this season. He joined the grid in 2011 with Williams but switched to Lotus for the 2014 campaign. He is expected to be replaced at the team, which was recently taken over (again) by Renault, by ex-McLaren driver Kevin Magnussen.

Image source: Lotus F1 Team
Image source: Lotus F1 Team

He said in a statement posted on Twitter:

“As everyone knows in recent days there have been a number of rumours about my immediate future in Formula 1. Today, with the utmost humility, I inform you that I will not be present at the starting grid for the 2016 F1 season.

“Thanks for all your messages of support, passion and concern for my future. I feel very honoured with the support of all of you and proud of my professional performance.”

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Comments

Anonymous

I think I know where he’s going…

02/01/2016 - 18:13 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Noooooo

02/01/2016 - 18:27 |
0 | 0
Speedemon (Giulia Lover)

I guess this means the FIA doesn’t need all these new safety features?

02/01/2016 - 18:34 |
3 | 0
J Nez

This just in: Maldonado secures new F1 ride for 2016!

02/01/2016 - 18:37 |
1 | 0
Caleb Rhodes

In reply to by J Nez

5 minutes later….

02/01/2016 - 20:28 |
3 | 0
Vitor Lemos

Please CT, make a best-of from this magnificent driver <3

02/01/2016 - 18:51 |
2 | 0
Vehicle Addiction

Well, he could start driving the Safety c…. nevermind

02/01/2016 - 18:55 |
10 | 0
Anonymous

Just bring the fireworks…oh..wait…

02/01/2016 - 19:11 |
3 | 0
Yahiko

Thank you and goodbye !

02/01/2016 - 19:42 |
0 | 0
MikeEM

What about hasmaldonadocrashedtoday.com? Where will he crash now?

02/01/2016 - 22:08 |
0 | 0
ItsLiiGHTz

In reply to by MikeEM

he will take part in crash derbys now…

02/02/2016 - 08:14 |
0 | 0