Maldonado: We can compete in Monaco

Pastor Maldonado believes Williams are fully prepared to attempt a repeat of their Spanish Grand Prix victory despite the garage fire that damaged the team’s equipment after the Barcelona race.

“It was a frustrating moment for all of us, because we were in the garage at that moment,” he said in today’s official FIA press conference in Monaco. “Personally, I was so scared, especially because we were all together, talking with Frank at that time and then yes, I need to thank all the teams who helped us, especially to extinguish the fire. For sure, the team has been working flat out to have everything ready for this race. The time wasn’t all that big, only one and a half weeks to have everything ready, so I need to thank all the teams who have helped us, even offering extra stuff for this race.”

Maldonado also added that with two Monaco GP2 wins under his belt and the improved pace of this year’s Williams FW34 the team can compete for major points this weekend. “I’ve been always so quick here, especially in GP2 and World Series as well,” he said. “Last year I was doing a good job, I was P6 but it’s always difficult. This kind of track, you never know [with] the traffic, everything. The track is going to change a lot during the weekend and we need to follow [how it develops] and we need a very good balance in the car as well and to be ready in the right time. So, we’ll see. I will do my best, again one more time and we’ll see. I believe it is still possible to be competitive here.”

Following his Barcelona win, Maldonado visited Williams’ Grove factory, where he said the special nature of his win became apparent. “I passed some very good days in the factory,” he said. “It was special because after eight years without winning any races, you can imagine how they take this victory. It’s a great feeling to start winning some races. The team is pushing so hard, me too; we have a very good feeling and are looking forward for the next races.

“It’s really special to win, especially the first one,” he said. “But for sure it is going to be difficult now. The gaps and the team levels are so close, so anything can make the difference. We need to put everything together to make a step forward, and I need to say that Williams are doing a very good job at the moment, I feel all the people are very motivated, they are pushing so hard – me too – it’s a very good feeling in the team and you know, still we need to improve. We are not at 100 per cent at the moment, we are not the best team – but we are not that far, we are there and we need to try to improve every time.”