Pastor Maldonado will always have a special place in Williams history. On 13 May 2012, at the Catalunya circuit, he managed to take victory in the Spanish Grand Prix, a success destined to remain the last of the 114 conquered by Frank Williams.
An indelible day also for Maldonado, who spent three seasons in the English team that saw him go from rookie in 2011 to winner of a Grand Prix. Speaking with Pastor in the aftermath of Sir Frank’s passing, the importance that that experience had not only in his sporting career, but in his life, is clear.
Ayrton Senna, Williams FW16 at the 1994 San Marino GP
Photo by: Sutton Images
“I have always been a big Williams fan – explains Maldonado – the team had had several Latin drivers among its ranks, such as Piquet and Senna, and obviously when I was a kid it was also the team that won. When I started racing in single-seaters, Juan Pablo Montoya arrived in Williams, who for us Latin Americans was an absolute idol, so I have always followed the events of the team closely. You can imagine what it meant for me, fresh winner of the GP2 Series, to have the chance to meet Frank Williams and find myself racing in his team ”.
“The first day I entered the Williams headquarters, Frank received me, and he immediately made me feel at ease, explaining that he had always had a soft spot for Latin drivers. The meeting in his office became a fixed stop every time I was on the team, and in most cases he ended up talking to me about Ayrton, I saw him cry several times when he remembered it, it always felt like an open wound, and perhaps he saw in me a person with whom to bring out something that tormented him ”.
Claire Williams with her father Sir Frank Williams
Photo by: Glenn Dunbar / Motorsport Images
Maldonado has a lot of bond with Sir Frank, a bond that even Pastor himself explains as very strong and that has always seen him a little in awe of a figure who had managed in the past absolute champions of this sport.
“A friendship was born that grew a lot to be really intense, but I remember well that from my point of view talking to Frank was a kind of motivation lesson, seeing a person with important limits like his maintaining an incredible determination and energy was a message that I carried with me after every meeting “.
“And I think I was not the only one, the whole team felt Frank’s push, there were people who had been in the team for thirty or more years, and I don’t think it was just a question of salary. My presence coincided with moments not easy for the team, but there has always been a special atmosphere, a great team spirit ”.
2012 Spanish GP winner Pastor Maldonado on the podium
Photo by: Sutton Images
The pinnacle of Maldonado’s Williams adventure is undoubtedly the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix, a day in which so many stories got stuck.
“It was the weekend we celebrated Frank’s 70th birthday, an incredible weekend. For the occasion, his wife also came to the track, she was already struggling with the disease but few knew it, and despite everything she didn’t want to miss it. There was obviously a very special atmosphere in the team, Patrick Head also came, and we wanted to make that weekend unique, I remember that there were also some technical meetings that usually weren’t there, and Frank himself encouraged us in several moments over the weekend “.
Pastor Maldonado, Williams FW34 in the Spanish GP won in 2012
Photo by: Sutton Images
Pole position arrived, a historic feat, but no one really believed in the possibility that Maldonado would be able to confirm that exploit the next day.
On the other hand, lap after lap Pastor built a masterpiece, and what was probably the most unexpected victory for Williams himself arrived.
“When I returned to the pits after the podium and the press conferences he gathered a small group of people and I remember very well what he said to me: ‘I have won a lot, with so many drivers, but this victory, by the time it arrived, is the most important in my life. Thanks Pastor ‘.
It was a truly incredible moment, I tried to hold back a few tears but I realized that there were many in the same situation as me. I think that day many things came together, officially it was Frank’s 70th birthday, but there were also important family problems, the team hadn’t been from a good time, and we all found ourselves breathing a breath of fresh air. “
“It was an incredible Sunday, with also moments of tension due to a fire that spread in the garage after the race. I remember well that Frank kept asking if everyone was okay, concern for the staff was always among his top priorities. That day in Barcelona there was also Patrick Head, a figure constantly present in Frank’s thoughts, he never stopped considering him his right hand “.
“When I happened to talk to him about problems with the car, he always ended up calling Head and handing him over to me on the phone. thanks to talent, perseverance and a little madness they have really made their dreams come true ”.
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