FeatureF1 Unlocked
UNDERDOG TALES: When Maldonado took Williams back to the top on a remarkable day in the Spanish sun
Just over a decade ago, Pastor Maldonado delivered one of the greatest underdog victories in F1 history as he hauled his Williams to pole position and victory – via a scrap with Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso – at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix. We sat down with the Venezuelan to remember a special performance that marked the first F1 triumph for his country – and remains the most recent win for the famous British team...
Pastor Maldonado’s promotion to F1 in 2011 made plenty of headlines across the media. Despite winning races in Formula Renault, Euroseries 3000, Formula Renault 3.5 and GP2, where he beat Sergio Perez to the title, many focused on the financial backing the Venezuelan brought to Williams, who had freed up a space by parting ways with Nico Hulkenberg at the end of a promising rookie season.
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