Pastor Maldonado looks set to start tomorrows Monaco Grand Prix from the back of the grid, after Williams Chief Operations Engineer Mark Gillan said the team may well have to change the Venezuelan’s gearbox prior to the race. This comes after Pastor Maldonado was issued a 10-place grid penalty for causing an unsporting collision with former GP2 rival Sergio Perez.
Only moments after his collision with Perez, Pastor Maldonado collided with the barrier at turn 4 causing significant damage to his Williams car. Although the Williams mechanics were able to miraculously repair his car for qualifying, it looks as though they will have to change his gearbox before tomorrows race. This eventuality will therefore impose a further 5-place grid penalty on Maldonado. This means he’ll start the race 24th and last alongside Sergio Perez.
"The car had a lot of damage in it, to the point where we are having to change the gearbox in it as well.” Explained Williams Chief Operations Engineer, Mark Gillan. "There was a significant amount of damage to the car, so the guys did a really good job to even get it out for qualifying. "It’s disappointing. But it is still good that we are disappointed because the pace is definitely there."
Maldonado’s team-mate Bruno Senna qualified 14th for the Monaco Grand Prix, but will start the race 13th after the Venezuelan’s accumulated 15-place grid penalty. Victory around the Monte-Carlo street circuit for the Grove-based outfit tomorrow will be nearly impossible, with passing so difficult.
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