Maldonado’s check clears for 2015
Lotus has endured a testing 2014, with Maldonado still yet to score a point in his debut year with the team. There has been speculation about both driver line-up and engine supplier for Lotus next year but team boss Gerard Lopez confirmed Maldonado will stay on, though he gave nothing away about the future of team-mate Romain Grosjean.
"I don't want to give too much away, but as it's half way through the season I can confirm 50% of our driver line-up for 2015 as Pastor is with us for next year," Lopez told the team's official website. "Despite the difficulties we've had so far this season, he recognizes our true potential as a team and we recognize his true potential as a driver. We will achieve great things together."
Lopez also said the announcement is one more reason to be optimistic for 2015 after a season predominantly spent fighting in the lower section of the pecking order.
"We do have some great things to come, but it's important that the team is not stopping developing this year's car as there is still a lot we can learn; we are going to fight hard for every point we can achieve this year. Looking forward, we have been able to take steps to ensure that 2014's lessons have been learnt and we get back to where we want to be in 2015 – fighting for podiums.
"When we look at the team's recent history we can see what is possible. In 2011 our car followed a unique development path with the forward facing exhausts. This concept didn't give us the results we wanted but look how we bounced back in 2012 and 2013! Our 2014 car hasn't given us the results we've wanted, so watch this space in 2015 and beyond!"