Mat Coch writes:

In the build up to the United States Grand Prix it was announced that Felipe Massa would join Williams for the coming season, an announcement made in the wake of Pastor Maldonado deciding he needed a change of scenery.

After winning its first grand prix in eight years in 2012, Williams has fallen dramatically off the pace this season. It has undergone a number of personnel changes but the simple fact remains that it is punching well below its weight.

It was after qualifying when an already frustrated Maldonado effectively accused his team of sabotage. Speaking with television reporters after the session he claimed that he thought "somebody is playing with the pressure and temperatures on my car."

"Never in Williams, in our experience and our history, would we ever do anything like that," came the immediate retort from Claire Williams.

With seventeen races down, the nine-time world champions have just a single point, courtesy of Maldonado's tenth place in Hungary. It is perilously within grasp of Caterham and Marussia in the Constructors' Championship , a fact that is worth many millions of dollars.

Prize money in Formula One is paid via two separate processes, each worth about £250 million ($400m) a year (60% of Formula One Management's profits).

The first is a simple payment to teams who have finished inside the top ten for two years in three, meaning whatever happens in the last two races Williams should receive about £25 million ($40m) from Formula One Management for its efforts in 2013.

The second is rather more complicated, and relates directly to the Constructors’ Championship, with the sum paid to tenth proportionally less than that paid to the winner. Ninth in the championship pays around £6 - £9 million ($10m - $15m) while tenth is believed to be worth about £3.5 million ($5.5m).

It is therefore arrogant and ignorant in the extreme for Maldonado to accuse the team of sabotage in its efforts for a little comeuppance.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by The Rumble Strip, 17/11/2013 18:01

"Ever since his GP2 days, Maldonado has been something of an enigma of a driver with the odd flash of brilliance but perhaps, more often than not, it’s the feeling of what on earth was all that about which takes hold and is more prevalent.

This latest incident smacks of toys out of the pram scenario and doubtless any driver shouldn’t speak out against their team, least it causes problems for them further down the line.

What is perhaps more frustrating is that Pastor is likely to find a drive for next season, courtesy of sponsorship deals, whereas arguably more talented drivers and at least one of Hulkenberg, Perez, Di Resta or Sutil will be left without a seat.
"

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2. Posted by Maria, 17/11/2013 16:45

"OMG, this Maldododo is just pile of rubbish. Only good at crashing into others on purpose. He is so full of himself over that one fluky win. He is unable to get anywhere near that sort of performance relative to his teammate Bottas. Proof that every dog has his day nothing more. And yet this guy has the nerve to be entitled. Spoiled brat. I hope Lotus finds the funds from Quantum so they can tell this goof and his management to go forth and multiply.

There is no place for such useless characters who merely act as talent devoid mobile chicanes in F1"

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3. Posted by Sinnr, 17/11/2013 14:22

"I have never liked Maldonado. He is not worthy of that seat. There are more talented drivers out there who deserve to be in Formula1. Unfortunately, Formula1 has turned into a; "who has the most money for the seat" rather than who is most talented. Williams deserves better. I have been a fan for several years and hope that they can get back to where they deserve to be, competing with the top teams. "

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Why Williams would not sabotage Maldonado

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