Pastor Maldonado’s position in Formula One appears to be secure, despite the death of Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez on Tuesday.
Maldonado is heavily funded by state owned company PDVSA and Chavez’s death means that elections will be held in Venezuela within the month.
Maldonado made his F1 debut in 2011 having won the GP2 title the previous year.
“They’ve [Venezuela] been very, very supportive and those who are next in line follow F1 and Pastor very closely,” Sir Frank Williams told ESPNF1 shortly before Chavez’s death.
“I’m hopeful everything will be okay.”
Maldonado won last year’s Spanish Grand Prix, a feat that former F1 driver Martin Brundle believes will assist his cause.
“He became a national hero for winning the Spanish GP last year and I think that has been good for Venezuela and good for his sponsors, so why would they want to run away? Obviously politics may well play a part but I think he has shown he has tremendous speed,” he told Sky Sports F1.
