How Williams Came Out on Top After Departure of Pastor Maldonado and PDVSA

Toward the end of the 2013 Formula One season, Pastor Maldonado decided he didn't want to drive for Williams anymore. Many smiles appeared in the vicinity of Grove in Oxfordshire, but it wasn't all good news. Maldonado's career is funded by the Venezuelan government, through state oil company PDVSA. Since Maldonado made his F1 debut in 2011, they had been paying Williams a massive amount—according to a leaked invoice reported on f1zone.net, at least £29 million per year—in sponsorship fees. The money was dependant on Williams having a Venezuelan driver in the car. With Maldonado departing, PDVSA would be going as well—and taking their cash with them. Williams were facing the possibility of a major financial problem. ...

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