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
-
Pérez: 'Only now do people see how good I really am'Sergio Pérez has claimed his performances at Cadillac are finally revealing his true level as a Formula 1 driv...
12 Jun 2026 15:20 -
What Antonelli really thinks about the FIA's Red Bull engine rulingMercedes driver and championship leader Andrea Kimi Antonelli has admitted surprise at the FIA's conclusion that ...
12 Jun 2026 16:22 -
What Verstappen won't say about his future in Formula 1Max Verstappen finished fourth at the Spanish Grand Prix after benefiting from late retirements, but the four-time wo...
15 Jun 2026 09:44 -
Piastri reveals who's the toughest rival he's ever racedOscar Piastri has named Max Verstappen as the best opponent he has ever raced against in Formula 1, choosing the four...
15 Jun 2026 11:47 -
Why Fernando Alonso's Alpine return won't go awayFernando Alonso, the two-time world champion, is once again at the centre of transfer speculation linking him to a su...
15 Jun 2026 10:46
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 2026
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 Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
- Date of b. Mar 9 1985 (41)
- Place of b. Maracay, Aragua, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of)
- 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 Lotus F1
- Base Enstone, United Kingdom
- Daniel Ricciardo 3
- Kimi Räikkönen 7
- Romain Grosjean 8
- Kimi Räikkönen 9
- Romain Grosjean 10
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Pastor Maldonado 13
- Kevin Magnussen 20
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Jolyon Palmer 30
- Esteban Ocon 31
- Carlos Sainz jr 55
- 65,124 comments on Lotus F1
- 16 members have this team as their favourite
- Tweets about Lotus F1
Replies (0)
Login to reply