Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado announced today that he will not contest the 2016 Formula One season with any team, although he did not offer details of his separation from Renault.
“Today with the greatest humility, I inform you that I will not be present on the F1 starting grid for the 2016 season,” said Maldonado in an official statement.
The runner, a native of Maracay, would be replaced by the Danish Kevin Magnussen in the Renault team, according to the specialized magazine AutoSport today.
According to the publication, the agreement is almost closed so Magnussen will be officially presented this Wednesday.
“Thank you sincerely for all your messages of support, passion and concern for my future,” added Maldonado in his letter in which he said to offer more details of his next projects in the coming days.
His departure would be related to a disagreement between the French car manufacturer and the sponsor of the Venezuelan driver, the state oil company PDVSA, over an economic debt.
Maldonado had a guaranteed contract until 2017, which he had signed with the Lotus team who sold his rights to Renault for this campaign.
His Formula One career began five years ago, after making his debut in 2011 with the Williams constructors team with whom he raced until 2013, when he passed Lotus for two seasons.
Last season, Maldonado only scored points in six races of 19 Grand Prix disputed, and failed to finish in nine. the last race ended with a crash at the Abu Dhabi GP, which involved Spaniard Fernando Alonso, although the incident was not caused by him.
The Venezuelan was highly questioned about his driving, described by some colleagues as dangerous. Among them, the Finn Mika Hakkinen, one of the most recognized figures in the sport, who suggested that he should receive harsher penalties.
His best campaign in the highest category of motorsport was 2012 where he won first place in the Spanish Grand Prix and a total of 45 points, to place in the fifteenth box. EFE
Pastor Maldonado announces that he will not race in the 2016 season
