Williams sign Venezuela’s Maldonado

Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado, who won this year’s GP2 title, has been named as Rubens Barrichello’s team-mate at Williams for the 2011 Formula One season, the British team announced.

The 25-year-old, who replaces German Nico Hulkenburg, cut his racing teeth in karts, following a tradition set by his father and uncles. He won seven national titles, moving into grand prix racing in 2003 with his previous achievements including a win at Monaco in his debut GP2 season in 2007, a performance that caught the eye of Williams’ Team Principal Frank Williams.

“He drove a masterful race at Monaco,” commented Maldonado’s new boss.

“Since then, he has regularly reminded us of his unquestionable talent with some skilful wins, particularly during this year’s GP2 championship, taking an unsurpassed record of six successive victories.”

Maldonado got the nod to partner veteran Brazilian Barrichello after shining in four days of testing for Williams in Abu Dhabi last month.

Maldonado said: “2011 will be the first time in nearly 30 years that a Venezuelan has driven a Formula One car so I will be looking to get some good results in return for the support my country has given me to help get me to this position today.”

The Williams team, who have lost several sponsors, were in need of a driver who could pay for his seat with Maldonado reported to be bringing in around 15 million dollars.

The Williams team, once the dominant force in F1, won the last of their nine constructors championships in 1997 and finished sixth in the season just ended.