Japanese GP: Maldonado in the points with 8th place finish


Pastor Maldonado

By Williams F1 Team
October 8 2012

The 2012 Japanese Grand Prix would see Williams F1 driver Pasyor Maldonado finally return to the points with an 8th place finish. For team-mate Bruno Senna he would finish 14th after having to pit early with a damage front wing.

 
 Williams Japanese GP Race Review
Maldonado
 
Race Notes
• Both Pastor and Bruno drove a solid race for the Williams F1 Team finishing eighth and 14th respectively.
• Pastor moved up four places from his grid position to end the race in a points-scoring position.
• After an unscheduled pitstop for a new front wing due to a first lap collision with Rosberg, Bruno’s race was further compromised by being given a drive-through penalty for the incident.
• The team now moves on to Korea looking to build on the four points scored here in Japan.
Pastor Maldonado:  Pastor Maldonado
 "It was a good race for me. The car had great pace and was very consistent, but it proved difficult to overtake, especially towards the end. We felt we were quicker than the cars in front, but the nature of the track makes it difficult to close the gap. We’re back in the points so I’m happy with that as it gives us great confidence going into the next race."
Bruno Senna 
Bruno Senna"We had a good start managing to overtake two cars but unfortunately I ran into an incident with Rosberg on the second corner after taking the inside line. The race was slightly compromised from then on but we still had good pace. The car felt very competitive which allowed us to overtake quite a few cars and the tyres were responding well. We now go to Korea and will try to score some points there."
Mark Gillan Chief Operations Engineer:
 Mark Gillan"Both drivers drove well today with strong pace throughout the race. Bruno's race was compromised with an early stop to replace a damaged front wing assembly and then with his subsequent drive-through penalty for contact with Rosberg. Pastor managed his tyres well throughout the race and brought the car home in a well-deserved 8th. We now immediately direct our attention to next weekend's Korean GP."
Laurent Debout, Renault Sport F1 team support leader:
 "Both drivers finished higher than their starting positions and we scored four very important points with Pastor, so we can be happy with the race today. We introduced new engines this weekend and everything went to plan so we will look to carry this momentum forward to Korea in a week’s time."
 
Senna
 

Suzuka Circuit, Japan
53 laps, 307.771kms / 191.224 miles

Weather Hot and dry
Air : 27 - 28°C Track: 38°C

POS

DRIVER

TEAM

Time (Fastest Lap)

Grid

1

S Vettel

 Red Bull 1:28:56.242 (1:35.774, 1st)

1

2

 F Massa Ferrari

+ 20.639 (1:36.894, 6th

10

3

 K Kobayashi Sauber

+ 24.538 (1:36.679, 3rd)

 3
 
8 P MALDONADO
FW34-02 R275404		 Williams F1 Team + 52.364 (1:37.771, 12th) 14
14 B SENNA
FW34-03 RS275349		 Williams F1 Team + 88.709 (1:36.819, 4th) 18
 

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