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[madbrad]

Cars that are not in the same class as the leaders sometimes outclass the field for one weekend, but they are still inferior cars and cannot win titles. This was one such example. Another is thre Torro Rosso that SV won a race in, and the Arrows that Damon Hill nearly won a race in. Maybe even the Mercedes that Rosberg won a race in. There's also the Ferrari that Berger won a race in in 1994, the Ferrari that Alesi won a race in in 1995, the Benetton that Berger won a race in in 1997, the Stewart that Herbert wone in once and the Ligier that Panis won in once.

[Jabberwocky]

Fisi and Jordan won a race

[darwin dali]

70% of the grid fancy a chance at the title now, thanks to Pirelli and their magical tyres.

Like the Nike sneakers on the Heaven's Gate cult members on their way to comet Hale-Bopp

[darwin dali]

It's great to see another young Turk who dares to challenge the established guys

But I can't see the Williams providing the equipment quite yet and Maldo still has to beat Hamilton Vettel et al over the season

Despite the lottery conditions and seemingly free for all, it's still the same guys at the head of the table

But in the next few years and despite looking like a thug from B movie hopefully the Williams/Pastor combo could be a real threat

Nothing like looking like a thug from a B move....I should know...see me below lol

scary

[Hammer278]

Is this the same Maldonado that crashed out in Australia fighting for a podium with a couple of laps to go while no one was around him?

I thought that was due to a puncture, although it didn't look like it at the time.

No puncture, he just rode too much kerb on the inside and buried it into the wall. I thought this guy was pathetic...until Spain came around.

[LewEngBridewell]

I doubt Maldonado will have anything to do with the title battle this year. Maybe one day, who can say?

[madbrad]

Fisi and Jordan won a race

Yeah I can't think of all of them, but maybe all of Jordan's wins fall under that category, depite there being more than one.

[madbrad]

70% of the grid fancy a chance at the title now, thanks to Pirelli and their magical tyres.

Like the Nike sneakers on the Heaven's Gate cult members on their way to comet Hale-Bopp

We all aim get product placement in our suicides!

[madbrad]

I doubt Maldonado will have anything to do with the title battle this year. Maybe one day, who can say?

He's one of those guys the pundits brand a potential future star.

[Jabberwocky]

Fisi and Jordan won a race

Yeah I can't think of all of them, but maybe all of Jordan's wins fall under that category, depite there being more than one.

to be fair the championship where Frenzen was in the title hunt with about 3 races to go was not that bad a car. I think it was mostly thanks to Gascoyne though.

[geetface9]

There are several drivers who do well in lower formulae and come to f1 and then fizzle out. However, I think it's completely possible for someone to do average in lower formulae, then make it to f1 and acclimatize well and make it work out great. Hopefully this is the case for maldonado over the coming years

[zurich_allan]

There are several drivers who do well in lower formulae and come to f1 and then fizzle out. However, I think it's completely possible for someone to do average in lower formulae, then make it to f1 and acclimatize well and make it work out great. Hopefully this is the case for maldonado over the coming years

But this is the thing. That is not the case with Maldonado - he has a well above average record in lower formulae (2 titles including the GP2 title, wins at real racers circuits including Silverstone and Spa, 23 wins and substantially more podiums throughout his progression to F1 - average?!?), yet for some reason (well we all know the reasons - they are because he didn't start with a competitive team at the time, and because he has financial backing) he is given that tag, which under examination simply doesn't hold up and is entirely unfair!

Other than because the Williams has just become competitive for the first time in years, so take the team name out of the equation and ask yourself - based on his winning record in terms of races and titles, why should we be surprised that after a few races with a competitive car to get used to it that he's in the picture for podiums and wins? I genuinely cannot think of any reason other than unfair bias and unfairly low expectations that aren't actually based on any evidence.

I would say though, that I think Maldonado is in a good position due to this unfair perception, as he doesn't have as much pressure on him as say Hamilton, Alonso, Schumacher etc. who are expected to win and are glorified / persecuted depending on how they do from race to race. Maldonado has the ability to perhaps 'fly under the radar' so to speak.

[What's Burning?]

Great drivers can take a mediocre car and make it competitive come race day even if the Q pace is not there. Case in point Alonso. Maldonado had not yet made that distinction not even with Barrichello last year. Currently In this sport, anyone with the right car setup on the right day can win.

[darwin dali]

Currently In this sport, anyone with the right car setup on the right day can win.

Even FA - hence, case in point as well

[scotty]

Maldonado had not yet made that distinction not even with Barrichello last year.

Even at Monaco? That was an excellent drive until he was punted off.

Maldonado is still too lairy though, reminds me of 2002 Massa sometimes.