A Renault source has dismissed speculation the team's new owner may not honour the contracts signed between Lotus and its 2016 drivers. With the French carmaker having taken control of Enstone after Lotus announced Pastor Maldonado and Jolyon Palmer for next season, recent comments by Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn suggested the pair might not actually race next year.
But according to the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, a Renault source rejected those rumours, confirming that Briton Palmer and Venezuelan Maldonado will indeed drive in 2016.
The uncertainty also comes amid a scandal involving PDVSA, the Venezuelan state-owned oil company that funds Maldonado's seat to the tune of some $50 million a year.
The Wall Street Journal reported in October that a wide-ranging investigation into PDVSA is taking place, and this week two businessmen were arrested on charges of bribery, wire fraud and money laundering.
A spokesperson for PDVSA did not reply to a request for comment.
Renault will respect Maldonado and Palmer contracts
- Published on 23 Dec 2015 13:48
-
0
- By: Danny Sosef
Trending news
-
Leclerc expects Ferrari's start-line advantage to be short-livedCharles Leclerc enjoyed a brilliant start in Melbourne, splitting the front-row Mercedes cars to take an early lead i...
13 Mar 2026 16:23 -
Norris: McLaren must look inward to close the gap to MercedesReigning world champion Lando Norris has dismissed suggestions that Mercedes is withholding technical information fro...
13 Mar 2026 15:22 -
Vowles: Weight reduction solutions for Williams hampered by budget capWilliams faced a difficult start to the 2026 campaign in Melbourne, primarily due to the FW48 being significantly ove...
13 Mar 2026 14:21 -
Pérez warns of potential for heavy crashes under new rulesThe 2026 Formula 1 regulations have introduced significant safety concerns among the drivers, with Cadillac’s S...
13 Mar 2026 13:19 -
Wolff acknowledges need for 2026 regulation adjustmentsDespite Mercedes securing a dominant one-two finish at the season opener in Australia, team principal Toto Wolff rema...
13 Mar 2026 12:18
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2025
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Spain
Bahrain
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Driver profile
- Team Renault
- Points 27
- Podiums 0
- Grand Prix 19
- Country VE
- Date of b. Mar 9 1985 (41)
- Place of b. Maracay, Aragua, VE
- Weight 68 kg
- Length 1.73 m
- 27,547 comments on Renault
9 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Pastor Maldonado
Team profile
- Team name Renault
- Base Enstone, France
- Fernando Alonso 1
- Daniel Ricciardo 3
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 5
- Fernando Alonso 7
- Romain Grosjean 8
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Fernando Alonso 8
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Jenson Button 15
- Kevin Magnussen 20
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Jolyon Palmer 30
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
- 236,925 comments on Renault
- 27 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Renault
Replies (0)
Login to reply