Lotus has announced that Pastor Maldonado will join the Enstone squad alongside Romain Grosjean for the 2014 season.

Maldonado - a veteran of 58 Grand Prix starts, including pole position and victory at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix - has driven for Williams F1 Team since entering the sport at the start of the 2011 season.

Grosjean has raced for Lotus since the start of the 2012 season, having previously driven for the Enstone outfit in its former guise of Renault during the final seven races of the 2009 season, in addition to serving as third driver for the team in 2011.

"It is with great pleasure that we can formally confirm that Romain Grosjean will continue with Lotus F1 Team next season," said Eric Boullier. "He has really made the most of his tremendous talent over the latter part of the 2013 season and will be a fantastic asset to our 2014 challenge. Romain will be joined by Pastor Maldonado; a driver I have known since he drove for me at DAMS in the 2005 World Series by Renault season. It is clear that Pastor has pace and potential - demonstrated by his 2010 GP2 Series title success and then through strong races throughout his career at Williams F1 Team - and we are convinced that we will be able to provide the correct environment to enable him to flourish regularly on track. We have been working on our new car in alignment with the new regulations for over two years and we are confident that we have a very good solution to all the challenges ahead. With Romain and Pastor I believe Lotus F1 Team will be able to cause quite a few surprises next year."

"I am very happy to have official confirmation that I will be continuing to drive for Lotus F1 Team next season," said Grosjean. "This past year has been tremendously satisfying for me. We have worked well together, and I know everyone at Enstone is motivated to continue the fight for every last point available. I am very excited about next year's car and I cannot wait to get out on track for pre-season testing before heading to Australia for the first race of the season."

"It is a fantastic opportunity for me to join Lotus F1 Team for 2014," added Maldonado. "It's no secret that I have wanted a change of scene to help push on with my Formula 1 career and Lotus F1 Team offered the very best opportunity for me to be competitive next season. The regulations and cars will change significantly so it is a very good time for a fresh start. I can't wait to be racing in black and gold."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by JackTheCat, 30/11/2013 13:36

"A perfect illustration of what is currently wrong with F1. No disrespect meant to Pastor (who is nowhere near as bad as some of the comments here paint him), but when a driver of the class of Hulkenberg is overlooked by the third/fourth best team on the grid for someone like Maldonado because of money the sport is in deep trouble.

We had all those years of being told that cost cutting etc. would save the sport and yet here we are with teams struggling for money right, left and centre and a formula where the apparent cost cutting has left drivers having to drive within the limits of engines, gearboxes, tyres and fuel so much so that not much racing can actually happen.

Then they change the engine formula which has cost millions. The sport is screwed until some common sense tales hold! Don't hold your breath!"

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2. Posted by Willy, 30/11/2013 5:00

"Lotus are in for some difficult times next season with Maldonado at the wheel of one of their cars. He is an unpredictable and dangerous driver who takes stupid risks and puts all the other drivers around him at risk as well.
The Hulk would have been a side step for Lotus with the way they blundered Kimi, but Pastor is a huge step back.
I imagine Maldonado brings a deep-pocketed sponsor with him or why else would Lotus bring him on board. "

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3. Posted by Red Baron, 29/11/2013 23:50

"Completely agree Kkiirmki... headaches in store for Lotus in 2014 ;)"

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4. Posted by Marybeth, 29/11/2013 22:54

" Was Grosjean paid this year...? Is Grosjean a pay driver...?
"

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5. Posted by Kkiirmki, 29/11/2013 16:37

"Lotus must really be struggling financially if they need Maldonado's cash, it's no wonder Kimi decided to leave. Passing up on Hulkenberg for this guy is a bad mistake on the part of Lotus and it may hurt them next season. I'm glad they've decide to stick with Grosjean as he been one of the stars in 2013 and has really matured as a driver."

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Lotus confirms Grosjean and Maldonado for 2014

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