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Pastor Maldonado celebrates his victory after the Spanish Grand Prix in May. Andres Kudacki/AP/Press Association Images
Winning

Williams' Maldonado hails change of mentality

Improved outlook the secret to Williams’ success this season.

PASTOR MALDONADO SAYS Williams’ success this Formula One season is down to the team’s new and improved attitude.

Maldonado’s triumph from pole position at the Spanish Grand Prix in May clinched Williams its first victory in 132 races, a drought spanning eight years.

Following a disappointing 2011, the Venezuelan driver believes the change of philosophy has lead to a step forward in the right direction.

“We changed the philosophy a little bit, for a better way,” he said.

“We have a different point of view to attack the problems, so everything looks like it is running very good in the team. The feeling is good.”

And despite retiring in the very first lap at the Monaco Grand Prix after crashing into Pedro de la Rosa, Maldonado said the team would have more opportunities to claim a podium finish, with the season continuing to be unpredictable.

“This is a new race. I love this track, and we will see if the car likes this track. If it does then I will be competitive,” Maldonado said ahead of this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

“I think it will be very unpredictable through the year. The gaps are very close, so everyone can win races.”

The 27-year-old is confident Williams will be competitive, with the Montreal track requiring a medium level of downforce.

“I think high downforce tracks are good for us, so we need to see here – this is the first circuit that we are running medium downforce, and I feel confident for this circuit too.

“The car is working really well, the front and the back of the car, so now, with everything so close, if you don’t put everything together then you are at the back. So you need to be focusing 100 per cent around the whole car.”

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