WilliamsF1 confirms Maldonado and Bottas as race drivers
The Williams F1 Team today announced that Pastor Maldonado and Valtteri Bottas will be the team’s race drivers for the 2013 FIA Formula One World Championship season. This means that Bruno Senna's career at Williams ends after a single season with the British team.
2013 will be Pastor’s third season with the team and comes on the back of a successful 2012 that saw him win the Spanish Grand Prix in commanding style. Valtteri has been the Williams F1 Team’s test driver since 2010. In his role as reserve driver Valtteri has taken part in a number of this season’s Friday practice sessions, impressing with his pace and maturity from the outset. The GP3 champion in 2011, 2013 will see Valtteri compete in the Formula One World Championship for the first time.
Commenting on his contract renewal for 2013, Pastor Maldonado said; ‘’I’m really enjoying my time with Williams and I was obviously very happy when I was told that I would be continuing with the team in 2013. 2012 was a memorable year for me with the win in Barcelona and we made a big step forward in terms of performance. I have a lot of confidence in the team and hopefully next year will see us move even further up the grid and taste more success.’’
Speaking about his new role, Valtteri Bottas commented: ‘’It has always been my life-long dream to compete in the Formula One World Championship. To do so with one of the most legendary teams in the sport is incredibly special. I’ve really enjoyed my three years with Williams so far and feel very at home here so my goal was always to stay for 2013 and progress to a race seat. I’m looking forward to getting my Formula One career started and enjoying a lot of success with Williams.’’
Sir Frank Williams, Founder and Team Principal, said; ‘’In Pastor and Valtteri we have two of the most exciting talents in motor racing and I am especially excited about what 2013 can bring for Williams. Pastor has always demonstrated remarkable pace and this year has seen him mature as a racing driver. Valtteri is quite simply one of the most talented young racing drivers I have come across and we expect great things from him in the future. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our departing driver Bruno Senna for his hard work over the past year and wish him the best of luck going forward.’’
