He once again managed to get into Q3 in India, but a mistake on his final attempt left him 9th on the grid. Good God, these nicknames are creative. Expert reviews, articles, analysis and more. Over the last four years Maldonado has been involved in a string of incidents, and has received more penalties than any other driver, giving him a reputation Veers off the road whilst looking at his steering wheel in Practice 1. Renault working on Maldonado's F1 future with Venezuelan backers, Renault reunion will be easier than 2014 F1 season - Maldonado, Renault reunion will be easier than 2014 F1 season - Maldonado The next year, he was outshone by rookie team-mate Valtteri Bottas before moving to Lotus for 2014 and 2015, where he was again upstaged by his team-mate, Romain Grosjean. Collided with teammate Grosjean and damaged his rear wing. They finished third in their category in the championship. Crashes into Sergio Perez on lap 12. Maldonado spun out in the race after 24 laps and consequently retired. But in the race he scored his first point in Formula One with a tenth-place finish. hasmaldonadocrashedtoday.com 40 points Does Maldonado deserve his reputation, or is it simply too easy to single him out? Runs off the track during qualifying and damages the car. In fact, when theyre flying around convoluted circuits at speeds in excess of 150mph the slightest loss of concentration could have very serious repercussions. On 29 November 2013, Maldonado was signed by the Lotus F1 team, to partner Romain Grosjean in 2014. Looking at the average number of penalties received for every 10 races contested, though, Maldonado is fourth, behind last year's Toro Rosso rookies, Carlos Sainz Jr. and Max Verstappen, and new Haas driver Esteban Gutierrez. Grosjean is pushed off the track and retires with damage. [84] Following this incident Mark Webber said that he does not think that Maldonado is talented enough to justify his drive in F1. 2023 The Goodwood Estate Company Limited. Check out his facebook page Motorsport Snippets. But is his poor reputation completely justified? [74], At the Spanish Grand Prix, Maldonado was again involved in an incident he was hit by team mate Romain Grosjean, who had just returned to the track after missing a braking point, causing rear wing damage to Maldonado's car. I found it surprising how often he crashes, or spins out of a race, all by himself. WebPastor Maldonado wins the 2012 Spanish F1 GP for Williams. When it comes to Maldonado's reputation, that sponsorship is part of his problem. 1M views 7 years ago. Things only got worse from then on out, with Maldonado crashing on the last lap of the 2012 season opener, before winning the Spanish Grand Prix, a success overshadowed when he deliberately hit Sergio Perez at Monaco, followed in quick succession by Pedro de la Rosa. The diffuser of Maldonado's car was damaged in the incident. He famously set the record for the most races entered without a win. Pastor Maldonado Crash Compilation. He finished the season 16th in the Drivers' Championship. He almost loses control driving straight on a dry track. Maldonado received a 5-second penalty as a result. Le Mans 24 Hours: Pastor Maldonado crash causes long safety car, Davidson, Maldonado switch from DragonSpeed to Jota for '19/20, Davidson, Maldonado switch from DragonSpeed to Jota for '19/20 In 66 seasons of the Formula One World Championship, just 95 different drivers have won a grand prix (10 others won the Indianapolis 500 when it counted towards the championship). Has Maldonado crashed today? Yes he has! - Car Throttle "He goes too often over the limit," he replied. Has Maldonado crashed today Pastor Maldonado, We Hardly Knew Ye - vice.com When he ran wide during practice at the recent Australian Grand Prix, Mark Webber jumped on the opportunity to criticise Maldonado from the commentary box, but when other drivers ran wide there were no such comments. Pastor Rafael Maldonado Motta (Spanish pronunciation:[pasto maldonao]; born 9 March 1985) is a Venezuelan professional racing driver, who competed in Formula One for the Williams (20112013) and Lotus (20142015) teams and as a Pirelli test driver until 2017. Reached by email, Zuber described Maldonado as "super-quick." Runs off at high speed over the grass in Practice 1 and stops the car on track shortly afterwards. [78] At the midpoint of the season, the BBC journalist Andrew Benson rated Maldonado as the worst driver to that point, and stated that he "seems to be trying his utmost to find new ways to infuriate his employers and collect as many penalty points from the stewards as possible. All Crashes of Pastor Maldonado Can you name every driver with whom Maldonado crashed in his 5-year career, when given the race in which the crash occurred? Stay in the know with our newsletters that contain all the latest news, stories and event information. Pastor Maldonado says F1 crash criticism doesn't bother him, Pastor Maldonado denies his F1 funding is in jeopardy, Pastor Maldonado denies his F1 funding is in jeopardy Pastor Maldonado takes blame for mistakes after crash follows At the Bahrain Grand Prix, Maldonado collided with Esteban Gutirrez after making a pit stop, causing Gutirrez's car to roll. During practice for the Chinese Grand Prix in 2014 he also drove off the track while adjusting a setting on his steering wheel. Most Bizarre Pastor Maldonado Crashes in Formula At a quick glance, some updates on the rest of this years incidents (Im sure Ive missed some), Malaysia 2015 race. Or not I dont think the BBC have enough budget for car repairs if he took that role. On lap 56 (the penultimate lap of the race), Maldonado was battling with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton for third place, however Hamilton forced Maldonado off the track at turn 12 and Maldonado returned to track and collided with Hamilton in turn 13, with Maldonado losing steering on the high curbs. 4 So, I think that his only victory was also an accident. All the technical issues made driver performance almost secondary, but Maldonados usual error-proneness contributed to the headaches with several practice crashes, race collisions with Gutierrez, Marcus Ericsson and Jules Bianchi and some avoidable procedure penalties. Receives a drive through penalty for doing so. Pastor Maldonado. After that, he convinced his father to let him drive one. His misadventures have triggered countless parodies, memes, and even a website called hasmaldonadocrashedtoday.com. But the Venezuelan says that the front row is his natural habitat and his critics don't realise Analysis: Does Pastor Maldonado deserve his bad F1 reputation? My fear is this site may not be able to handle such excessive data or stupidity. And 2012 Brazilian GP, after a brilliant first lap, he binned it at Turn 3. Go Orange. Maldonado is an outspoken political figure, which is rare in the racing world. [40] Maldonado qualified seventh in the British Grand Prix and ran as high as sixth before a pit-stop on lap 11 which dropped him into the midfield. But he wasnt always bad. Maldonado's performances in FR3.5 were enough to attract the interest of GP2 teams, and he signed a contract to drive for Trident Racing in 2007 after a successful test in late 2006. Crashes into the wall at Turn 13 by himself in Practice 2. You having a laugh mate? He started at the back of the grid for the Hungary feature race, but he moved up to finish fifth after staying out for longer than any other driver, and setting a succession of quick laps on these worn tyres. He became the first Venezuelan to win a Formula One Grand Prix when he won the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix for Williams, from his first and only pole position. F1: Felipe Massa says Pastor Maldonado ruined his Bahrain GP charge, Bahrain GP: Pastor Maldonado "lost power" in F1 qualifying, Bahrain GP: Pastor Maldonado "lost power" in F1 qualifying Newey agrees contract extension with Red Bull F1 team, F1 must seek answers after boring Baku F1 race, says Wolff, F1 must seek answers after boring Baku F1 race, says Wolff Analysis: Was Pastor Maldonado poised for an F1 breakthrough? He is often regarded as nothing more than a pay driver, who would not be in F1 without the financial support from his homeland. Crashes into Paul di Resta on his way into pitlane and receives a penalty for doing so. I have been winning in everything in the past. Collides with Jules Bianchi and spins on lap 15. In Singapore he qualified second, alongside pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton. In the end, he finished 8th. Pastor Maldonado shrugs off criticism from F1 fans, Pastor Maldonado is better than he gets credit for says Lotus team, Pastor Maldonado is better than he gets credit for says Lotus team Crashes into Lewis Hamilton whilst heading to the pits during qualifying. [21] Maldonado was often overshadowed by team-mate and 2009 champion Nico Hlkenberg, but Maldonado still finished sixth overall, helping ART to the teams title. [16] Draco Racing lodged an appeal and the results of the championship remained provisional until Italy's National Court of Appeal for Motorsport upheld the stewards' decision at a hearing in January 2007. If I take it at 101 I go off the road. All Rights Reserved. [49] Maldonado finished the season with a ninth place from ninth on the grid in the USA and a DNF after a second lap crash from sixteenth from the grid after a ten place penalty for a third reprimand after missing a weighbridge check in Brazil, as he finished fifteenth in the Championship on 45 points, the lowest Championship standing for a driver who won a race during an F1 season. 2 man, Grosjean. Yesterday August 21, 2015, Pastor crashes into a barrier by himself alone in Practice 2 of Belgium GP. Receives a ten place grid penalty for doing so. WebAt Spa-Francorchamps, Maldonado crashed during the second free practice session; the force of the impact required Maldonado to have a precautionary check-up at the circuit's Chinese GP: Pastor Maldonado pit problem 'caused by brakes' Lotus driver Pastor Maldonado endured an eventful Chinese Grand Prix, veering from the ridiculous [100], Maldonado also negotiated with IndyCar team KV Racing Technology, with no agreement being reached, and the team being sold due to financial difficulties.[101]. Maldonado also received 14 penalties throughout the season, five ahead of Sergio Prez and Michael Schumacher, Maldonado's grid penalties for both driving offences and gearbox changes totaled to 38 grid places, 1.8 per race. Collides with Valtteri Bottas on the last corner of the last lap. 2020 M. Schumacher On 21 March 2018, DragonSpeed confirmed that Pastor Maldonado would contest the entire "superseason" of the World Endurance Championship, in the LMP2 category with an Oreca 07,[102] together with Roberto Gonzlez, as well as Nathanal Berthon in the first two rounds, and Anthony Davidson in the rest. And we'll always have that one extraordinary weekend in Spain. He was demoted from third on the grid to sixth for impeding Nico Hlkenberg in Q1. [95][96] He was replaced by former McLaren driver Kevin Magnussen. Does Pastor Maldonado deserve his bad boy reputation? Crashes into Lewis Hamilton when rejoining the circuit and receives a penalty for doing so. Collides with Max Chilton and hits the barriers on lap 44. You forgot 2011 Canadian GP where he spun into Turn 2, his own mistake. Analysis: Does Pastor Maldonado deserve his bad F1 reputation? He is a genuine talent who needs time to grow into a front-runner and his current reputation is undeserved. Collides with Romain Grosjean on lap two. Receives a 30 second penalty for continuing to ignore blue flags. Since at the time there was no proper category for his age, he competed against kids that were 10-12 year old. Receives a drive through penalty for ignoring blue flags. After five seasons, two teams, one win and crash after crash after crash, Pastor 'Crashtor' Maldonado is riding off into the sunset. Pastor Maldonado - the professional racing driver more famous for not being able to drive - is leaving F1. Crashes into the wall by himself at Turn 3 on lap 28. Lotus F1 Team's Pastor Maldonado eyeing first 2015 points in Monaco, Lotus: Pastor Maldonado has to earn his Formula 1 drive on merit, Lotus: Pastor Maldonado has to earn his Formula 1 drive on merit Pastor Maldonado 'very, very annoying' - Sauber F1 boss Kaltenborn, Maldonado penalty for Ericsson Interlagos clash 'harsh', says Lotus, Maldonado penalty for Ericsson Interlagos clash 'harsh', says Lotus As a result, he was banned from four races in the series and barred for life from the Principality, a punishment that his father reportedly overturned by paying for the marshals treatment. Venezuelan racing driver Pastor Maldonado is pretty much a fan favourite, albeit for a different reason. Maldonado was a target for a Campos Meta seat in 2010. In the aftermath, Andrew Benson reminded BBC readers that Maldonado, "came into F1 with a reputation for being quick but fiery and a bit accident-prone." Blocks Nico Hulkenberg during qualifying and receives a grid penalty for doing so. In Hungary, Maldonado qualified eighth, but a poor start dropped him to twelfth after lap one and thirteenth after the pitstops. Pastor Maldonado - Wikipedia Crashes into the back of Timo Glock on Lap 5 and receives a penalty for doing so. Pastor Maldonado hoped for F1 return after Nico Rosberg retirement, Pastor Maldonado working on plan B for 2017 if F1 impossible, Pastor Maldonado working on plan B for 2017 if F1 impossible However, he continued, the Venezuelan's win, "certainly proves beyond all doubt that he deserves his place in F1, even if one inevitably has to wonder what the Williams would be capable of with [Fernando] Alonso or [Lewis] Hamilton behind the wheel.". Please add his latest crash in Monza 3 days ago (Monza 15) running into Hulkenberg at race start in the 1st corner, ending his race with a broken suspension. Crashes into the barrier at Turn 9 by himself in Practice 2. Ex-F1 racer Pastor Maldonado surprised by WEC LMP2 car performance, Ex-F1 driver Pastor Maldonado secures WEC LMP2 seat for 2018/19, Ex-F1 driver Pastor Maldonado secures WEC LMP2 seat for 2018/19 His poor end to the season was magnified in Abu Dhabi; where he qualified 17th and started 23rd (after a ten-place grid penalty for using a 9th engine), and served a drive-through, and later a 30-second time penalty after the race, both for ignoring blue flags. Pastor Maldonado: Does 'Crashtor' deserve his bad reputation? Speeds in the pitlane and serves a drive through penalty. [24] Maldonado finished sixteen points ahead of Barwa Addax's Sergio Prez. All young drivers make mistakes but blatantly and repeatedly ignoring flags is a deliberate offence that is far worse than any simple error. Misses the weight check during qualifying and receives a reprimand for doing so. He was classified third overall, with three race wins, six further podium finishes, and five pole positions.[14][15]. Receives a penalty for doing so. While Maldonado might view his willingness to cross the limit as a strength, top drivers can approach the limit repeatedly without surpassing itthat is the kind of consistency that wins championships. He signed to drive for the ART Grand Prix team during the 2009 season. [85], At the Singapore Grand Prix, Maldonado ran off track, and when he rejoined he and Button collided. Michael Schumacher crashed near the end of a wet second practice for the German Grand Prix and was unhurt as he walked from his damaged Mercedes on Friday. Kevin Magnussen set to replace Pastor Maldonado at Renault F1 team, Kevin Magnussen set to replace Pastor Maldonado at Renault F1 team Jumps the start and receives a penalty for doing so. [17] The lost fifteen points would have been enough to move him up from third to first in the standings, ahead of Alx Danielsson and Borja Garca. Maldonado won the first race, having started from second position.[22]. He either finds trouble or trouble finds him! Maldonado Did not finish, but was classified as he had completed more than 90% of the race distance. Why Maldonado deserves another chance in F1, 10 things we learned from the 2023 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix, 10 things we learned from the 2023 F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix Andreas Zuber raced against Maldonado for three years in GP2 and was his team-mate in 2008. Hakkinen hits out at crash-prone Maldonado Mistakenly lined up in 18th position on the starting grid. 2008 G. Pantano Moving to Alfa Romeo in 1982, he counted five accidents, one of which took both team cars out of contention on the Austrian start line, followed by three in 84, four in 85, four in 87 and three in 88. Lotus: Pastor Maldonado has to earn his Formula 1 drive on merit, F1: Felipe Massa says Pastor Maldonado ruined his Bahrain GP charge, F1: Felipe Massa says Pastor Maldonado ruined his Bahrain GP charge The next year, he graduated to GP2, winning at Monaco in just his fourth start. [77] At the Hungarian Grand Prix, Srgio Prez tried to overtake Maldonado at the outside of the corner, Maldonado failed to leave enough room so the two collided, causing Prez to spin. [89] At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Maldonado and Alonso collided, damaging Maldonado's car and forcing him to retire. Improbably, Pastor Maldonado is one of them, and it is difficult to imagine another driver on that list whose talent behind the wheel is more lightly regarded.