Pastor Maldonado calm about future if Renault swings F1 axe

The French manufacturer is close to concluding a deal and taking a majority 65 per cent stake in the Enstone-based team, but question marks remain over its F1 driver line-up.

With Lotus, Maldonado and team-mate Romain Grosjean both have contracts for next year, but should Renault come on board their futures may alter.

It is understood Renault would aim to retain Frenchman Grosjean, but given its alliance with oil company Total, that would conflict with Maldonado's $50million-per-season-sponsor in PDVSA.

Despite that, Maldonado said: "We have a contract until the end of next season, so whether Renault comes or not, it should all be OK.

"If Renault comes, welcome. I really hope it's the best for the team.

"If they don't want me in the team, that's fine. Life is like this, but the information I have is completely the other way.

"I think they still want to work with me, and that is all of the information I have at the moment."

Given Maldonado is under contract to Lotus that has prevented him from talking to other teams, placing his future in F1 on the line.

Maldonado added: "Let's see what happens in the next few weeks with the team.

"It's difficult to say when we are not 100 per cent sure about their plans, and if Renault is coming or not."

Suggested to Maldonado it was an odd position for him to be in, he replied: "It's normal. Formula 1 is like this. This is part of my job.

"At the moment I'm quite quiet; it's looking good.

"There is a lot of rumour from your side, but not from the team and from me."