Williams driver dilemma for 2014

It’s that time of the season in Formula One when the drivers on the current gird are on a merry-go-round trying to get their hands on the best seat possible for the next season along with a few rookies trying hard to get their dream drive.

A lot of factors including competitive driving skills add up to a driver getting the drive but one of the most important one remains a driver getting a healthy financial backing in the form of sponsorship’s to the table.

One of the teams and driver to join the bandwagon are Williams and driver Pastor Maldonado. Here’s a take on whether Williams needs the Venezuelan driver or are there better options for one of the oldest teams in Formula One.

Pastor Maldonado – Fast yet inconsistent

Pastor Maldonado and Williams talks for a contract extension has hit a rough patch

A one time GP2 winner before joining the big league, Pastor Maldonado has shown a lot of promise driving for Williams in the last three seasons. Maldonado scored a single point in his debut season but the Williams FW32 was as much to blame as he was but showed some potential by finding his way into Q3 on three occasions.

He was in the limelight when he secured a maiden pole and Grand Prix victory in Spain last year, becoming the first Venezuelan driver to take a Formula One win. It was also Williams first race win in 8 years. However, the 28 year old driver made multiple driver errors and came in for repeated criticism from stewards for his hand in several collisions.

This year too, Maldonado had his share of criticism crashing in Australia and Monaco and managed only a single point. He has been critical of the William FW35’s lack of pace and there are chances he might just move out if he gets an opportunity with another mid-field/front running team(rumour has it he might move to Lotus or Sauber.)

In Japan last weekend, Maldonado in a bid to overtake teammate Valtteri Bottas, Maldonado made an aggressive pass on the final chicane of the race forcing Bottas off the track, which left both Williams and his teammate fuming.

The sponsorship talks

Talks between Williams and Maldonado’s sponsor, Venezuelan oil giant PDVSA (Petróleos de Venezuela, S.A), have reportedly stalled and that has put his stint with Williams in jeopardy. The reason being the Venezuelan government has put a stop to all payments to the government backed racing drivers amid an investigation into corruption charges.

Maldonado who was a friend of late Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez nevertheless is expected to get the sponsorship row settled considering his political connections. But Williams might prefer to look at drivers who already have some financial backing.

Options for Williams

Could Felipe Massa be driving for Williams next season?

In case Maldonado opts out of Williams, Sir Frank William’s team would be left with limited options. The team which completed 600 Grand Prix’s in Formula One earlier this year, might have Felipe Massa for the 2014 season. Massa who is eyeing a competitive car with Lotus might just go to Williams in case he misses the bus to Enstone. Williams might have to gamble on Massa’s experience to his meager financial support. But Massa’s return could prompt former Williams sponsor Petrobras to return to Grove.

Williams might have to look at young protégé and Formula 3 Euro Series champion Daniel Juncadella, a driver in DTM and had tested at the young driver test at Silverstone. Susie Wolff, Williams development driver, could also be in the running as the teams last resort.

The fact remains that teams(yet to confirm their driver line up) are left with limited options given driver ability and sponsorship packages expected along with them. It looks like the silly season is living up to the expectations and might just have its impact on the 2014 season with an exciting line up of drivers.