Williams overhaul is to thank for return to winning ways, says Maldonado
Williams's shock victory in the Spanish Grand Prix was a result of major changes made to the team over the past year, according to Pastor Maldonado
The Venezuelan, who is in his second season with Williams, believes that the team has transformed its approach since last season under new technical director Mike Coughlan and chief operations engineer Mark Gillan.
"We took a great step forward because we changed a lot of things in the factory," Maldonado said on Thursday.
"Part of that is that the approach when we get to the track is completely different. We put a lot of things together to make a real step forward so it's difficult to say there is a single thing [making the difference]. We changed everything and I am really happy to be part of that."
Maldonado admitted that the fire that engulfed the Williams pit garage around 90 minutes after the race had dampened spirits.
But despite that, the prevailing feeling was happiness about ending a Williams victory drought that stretched back to the 2004 Brazilian Grand Prix.
"It was a difficult moment for all of the team," said Maldonado of the fire. "But we have been so happy even after that because it has been nearly eight years that Williams has not got to the top of the podium. The win is a big motivation for everyone."
For an in-depth analysis of how Williams rebuilt itself into a winning grand prix team, check out this week's AUTOSPORT magazine
Previous article
Williams denies Bruno Senna's seat is under threat if he does not improve
Next article
Monaco preview quotes: Caterham
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
| Drivers | Pastor Maldonado |
| Teams | Williams |
| Author | Edd Straw |
Albert Park Circuit Modifications Project
Mercedes-AMG F1 Team: Bahrain GP Race Debrief
The double whammy that is defining Vettel’s F1 fate
It's been a tough start to Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin F1 career, with a lack of pre-season testing mileage followed by an incident-packed Bahrain GP. But two key underlying factors mean a turnaround is no guarantee
The diva that stole a march on F1’s wide-bodied opposition
In 2017 new F1 technical regulations were supposed to add drama - and peg Mercedes back. STUART CODLING looks at the car which, while troubled, set the stage for the wide-bodied Formula 1 era
The themes to watch in F1’s Imola return
Three weeks is a long time in Formula 1, but in the reshaped start to the 2021 season the teams head to Imola to pick things up after the frenetic Bahrain opener. Here's what to look out for and the developments to follow at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
The 'new' F1 drivers who need to improve at Imola
After a pandemic-hit winter of seat-swapping, F1 kicked off its season with several new faces in town, other drivers adapting to new environments, and one making a much-anticipated comeback. BEN ANDERSON looks at who made the most of their opportunity and who needs to try harder…
The delay that quashed Aston Martin’s last F1 venture
Aston Martin’s only previous foray into Formula 1 in the late 1950s was a short-lived and unsuccessful affair. But it could have been so different, says NIGEL ROEBUCK
Verstappen exclusive: Why lack of car-racing titles won't hurt Red Bull's ace
Max Verstappen’s star quality in Formula 1 is clear. Now equipped with a Red Bull car that is, right now, the world title favourite and the experience to support his talent, could 2021 be the Dutchman’s year to topple the dominant force of Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes?
Are we at peak F1 right now?
For many, many years Formula 1 has strived to do and to be better on all fronts. With close competition, a growing fanbase, a stable political landscape and rules in place to encourage sustainability, 2021 is on course to provide an unexpected peak
How crucial marginal calls will decide the Red Bull vs Mercedes battle in F1 2021
The longer Red Bull can maintain a performance edge over Mercedes, the better the odds will be in the team’s favour against the defending world champions. But as the Bahrain Grand Prix showed, many more factors will be critical in the outcome of the 2021 Formula 1 World Championship
