Maldonado says Williams is a completely different team to the one he raced with in 2011

The Venezuelan may have completed just 25 laps - the fewest of any driver - during the opening day of pre-season testing at Jerez, but he was in buoyant mood as he hailed the team's new structure and focus.

"Everything is looking very different to last year," Maldonado explained. "This is Formula 1 - you can always improve - but we are more concentrated, we have new people and the team is working very well. It's completely different."

Maldonado said the changes went beyond a shake-up of the technical staff and extended to the entire team - and crucially also to the car itself, which he believes is already a more capable challenger than last year's FW33.

"The car is completely different - we have in our hands a better car than last year, for sure," he added.

"I was quite surprised how good the balance was from the first lap. We were a bit heavy with the fuel and not pushing 100 per cent, but the first impression I had is that the car was working well and I was happy with what we had.

"I'm happy with the engine, and the car is more stable. We need to do more runs to understand the aerodynamics and the mechanics of the car, but the first impression I have is very positive.

"Everything feels more compact and together than last year - everyone is pushing hard, and we feel more like a team. Its more organised and there everyone is working together more - even the drivers, we spend a lot more time in the factory.

"I have a lot of responsibilities now but everyone is pushing, we have two young drivers and I think we can do well this year. We need to be competitive again and I think we have everything to do that."