Maldonado says Williams needs to improve qualifying pace in order to fight at the front

But the Venezuelan is still convinced that his team is among the strongest in terms of race pace at the moment.

"We need to improve our qualifying pace," said Maldonado, who has qualified eighth and 11th in the first two races.

"I think our top speed is not the best. We are missing a couple of tenths on the straights, but that's it. I think it's a compromise.

"The race pace is quite competitive and good, one of the best. I think better than some of the top teams, so it's looking good. We just need to keep pushing. Keep developing the car."

Maldonado, in his second season with Williams, says he is feeling much more confident this year.

"I'm much better. More clam, more ready. For sure I feel better every time, even if the car is new and it's been changing race by race and test by test.

"I'm more confident with the team and I feel they are more confident with me, and this is a good thing. I think we haven't scored any points but we have been there, and this is the most important thing because there are 18 races to go."

Maldonado is yet to score a point this year after crashing out in Australia and retiring with an engine problem in Malaysia.