Formula One news

Renault 'nicked' Minardi star

Renault 'nicked' up-and-coming Venezuelan teenager Pastor Maldonado from Minardi. That's the charge of Faenza team founder and continuing staffer, Italy's Gian Carlo Minardi.

Maldonado testing at Misano

"I behaved in good faith," he complained on the 'Italiaracing' website, "but let Maldonado be nicked from me."

Last November, 19-year-old Maldonado made his F1 debut in a Minardi at Misano. Gian Carlo Minardi, at the time, hinted that a youngster at the circuit has 'a future' on the F1 grid. Now, though, Pastor's in Renault's 'driver development programme.'

more news

• 20 Nov.
  • Photos: Rossi tests Ferrari F2008
  • Rossi doing well at Mugello in F2008
  • Brawn praises Senna and Di Grassi
  • Vettel happy with early test form
  • Senna happy wih test performance
  • Sato unable to rate his chances
• 19 Nov.
  • Piquet wraps up Renault test
  • Vettel finishes test on top
  • 'STR's driver decision is purely a financial issue'
  • Senna enjoys warm welcome in paddock
  • Di Grassi enjoyed Honda opportunity
  • Photos: Wednesday in Barcelona
• 18 Nov.
  • Renault pushes on with test
  • Vettel fastest on day 2
  • Ecclestone to replace points for medals?
  • 'This is the worst looking F1 car ever!'
  • Hamilton joins side event Race of Champions
  • De la Rosa joins Force India in Barcelona
  • Photos: Tuesday in Barcelona
  • Wurz enjoying return of slicks
  • Renault happy with first day back
• 17 Nov.
  • Senna's dream comes true with first day at Honda
  • Loeb impressed with Barcelona test
  • Sato fastest on first day in Barcelona
  • Force India sees 2009 chassis delayed
  • Canadian Grand Prix officially axed
  • The 2009 season gets under way in Barcelona
  • Photos: Monday in Barcelona
• 16 Nov.
  • Schumacher gets Superbikes offer
  • Rampf hoped for more in second half of season
• 15 Nov.
  • Loeb happy with Silverstone shakedown
  • Williams extends key sponsor deal
• 14 Nov.
  • Van der Garde sitting tight at Renault
  • Raikkonen admits motivation problems
  • Shanghai could axe Chinese Grand Prix
• 13 Nov.
  • Kennard enjoys first F1 experience
  • 2008 my toughest season - Kubica
  • Glock aiming to keep up second half of season form
• 12 Nov.
  • Van der Garde to test Renault F1
  • Montezemolo critical of KERS

Homepage