Maldonado left red faced in Caracas

13/08/2012

Mat Coch writes:

Pastor Maldonado has been left red faced following his return to Venezuela, after spinning during a demonstration run in his country's capital. The Williams driver was scheduled to complete twelve laps around Caracas in what was billed as a glorious homecoming for the Spanish Grand Prix winner however, things didn't go to plan.

After spinning Maldonado made contact with the gutter, damaging his FW33 in the process, as thousands of fans, and VIP's looked on - not to mention team bosses Sir Frank Williams and Toto Wolff.

Too badly damaged to continue it was left to GP2 driver Rodolfo Gonzalez to save the day, completing eight laps before the weather closed in and forced a halt to proceedings.

Ironically just last month the Venezuelan driver denied he was too accident-prone when asked in the build-up to the German Grand Prix. "We did a couple of mistakes," he confessed. "I think that if you see the history of the other drivers they did the same in the past."

Maldonado's demonstration was meant to be the highlight of a day which celebrated Venezuelan sport with Olympic fencing gold medallist Ruben Limardo and Indycar driver EJ Viso also on hand.

It was an unfortunate and unlucky mistake from Maldonado, who had earlier expressed his enthusiasm for the event. "I can't wait to return home on the back of my win earlier this season at the Spanish Grand Prix," he said. "I have always received lots of support from my fellow countrymen and this trip is an opportunity to give something back to those in Venezuela who have helped me get to where I am today."

Youtube footage is available here