Boullier said: “It is with great pleasure that we can formally confirm that
Romain Grosjean will continue with Lotus F1 Team next season. 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. 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.
“With Romain and Pastor I believe Lotus F1 Team will be able to cause quite a
few surprises next year.”
Maldonado joins Lotus after three difficult years at Williams, where the
obvious highlight was his surprise victory in the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix.
The 28-year-old, who is being replaced by Felipe Massa, earlier this month
claimed he was “happy” to be leaving Williams, believing he had delivered
more to them than they had done for him.
Now Maldonado has the chance to prove himself in a front-running team that
finished fourth in this year’s constructors’ championship.
“It is a fantastic opportunity for me to join Lotus F1 Team for 2014,” said
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.”
As for Grosjean, the Frenchman has performed superbly over the second half of
the season, finishing on the podium four times in five races prior to ending
the campaign with an engine blow-out in Brazil on Sunday.
Grosjean said: “I am very happy to have official confirmation that I will be
continuing to drive for Lotus F1 Team next season.
“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.”