Pastor Maldonado targeting points in Valencia

Spanish Grand Prix winner Pastor Maldonado will be targeting a strong points finish at this weekends European Grand Prix, after two less-than-successful races at the Monaco and Canadian Grands Prix. Since his maiden victory at Barcelona, Maldonado has failed to score a single World Championship point.

The European Grand Prix around the Valencia Street Circuit is notoriously difficult to pass around, thus piling much emphasis on qualifying. Even with the addition of the DRS overtaking device last season, only 22 additional overtakes were created, along with a further 5 ‘normal’ overtakes. With this the case, Pastor Maldonado and his team-mate Bruno Senna will be eager to qualify as high as possible on Saturday.

“Valencia is a challenge for the drivers because it combines a street circuit that’s used by regular road cars throughout the year with sections of regular race track so it can be tricky to achieve the ideal set up.” Explained Pastor Maldonado, “We’re constantly developing the car and it is showing good long run consistency at the moment and hopefully we can improve on the last couple races and pick up some good points.”

The last time both Williams drivers finished in the points together was at the Chinese Grand Prix back in April, when Maldonado and Senna finished 8th and 7th respectively. Since then, Williams have only scored 26 points, including those scored when Maldonado was victorious at the Spanish Gand Prix. The Grove-based outfit will undeniably be eager to add to their tally this weekend, in the searing heat at Valencia.

Follow me on Twitter - @AndyYoungF1