Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado has confirmed he will not be on the 2016 Formula One grid in a statement shared on his social media.
Maldonado, 30, had been rumored to have lost his seat for the past few days, with Danish youngster, Kevin Magnussen reported to be in contract talks with the newly reformed Renault works team.
A lack of funding appears to have thwarted the Venezuelan’s campaign, as his native country undergoes a major financial crisis with his sponsor, PDVSA, making up a huge share of the South American country’s economy.
Maldonado has generally kept quiet on the situation but shared a statement on his twitter today.
As you all know there have been rumours over the last few days about my immediate future in Formula 1.”
“It has been 23 years in the exciting world of sports. I started at a young age. With the help from my family we grew up and I started to form as a professional. I tasted success, that thing that leaves you eager to fight even more.
“Soon after turning into a teenager I started chasing my dreams in unknown lands, without the warmth from my people, my roots, my Venezuela. In that moment, I became a man and I understood that there were plenty of things that could distract me from my goal, but I always reached it.
“The karting world championship, Formula Renault 2000, Formula 3000, the World Series and the unforgettable GP2 championship. I got used to winning, we got over 200 trophies of all sizes and shapes. All my life has been filled with achievements in a wonderful space which made my people proud.
“The most awaited dream arrived. The end that justified all the means: Formula 1, a category that even gave me the most anticipated of wins, in that Spanish Grand Prix in 2012.
“All this thanks to the support from my family, from the international fans and above all from my country, that country that listened to our glorious anthem that reached the whole world, because I not only carried the flag in my car, but also in my soul and to the top of the podium.
“Today with the biggest humility I inform you that I won’t be on the grid at the start of the 2016 season. Thanks for all the messages of support, passion and concerns about my future.
“I’m very thankful to God, my family, my sponsors, my friends, my fans and everybody who has helped me materialise this dream of having represented Venezuela in the pinnacle of motorsport.
“See you soon!”
Maldonado made his Formula One debut with Williams in 2011 after a title-winning GP2 campaign and won the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix after a superb defensive display holding off local hero Fernando Alonso. He moved from Williams to Lotus in 2014 and generally suffered reliability problems with the Renault power unit in 2014, but produced several solid drives including a heroic performance in Austin that year.
It is as yet unknown as to whether Pastor will be able to find the funds to drive elsewhere in motorsport this year or if he will be forced to take a sabbatical.
