» Maldonado: Williams can win in 2013

Last year’s Spanish Grand Prix winner Pastor Maldonado believes that the Williams team will challenge for victories this season.

A surprise victor at Barcelona, Maldonado couldn’t return to the podium for the rest of 2012 despite some other strong performances. His year was tarnished by several accidents involving other drivers, and despite the negative aspects of last season he believes that the team can once again surprise in the upcoming season.

"We are fighting with mega teams and maybe we don’t have everything to be winning the championships, but I think we are going to win some races and we can be very competitive," Maldonado told ESPNF1. "I don’t know if we can be at a very high level all through the year, but we are doing our best with the tools we have in the factory to do a good car."

Maldonado’s future today however did come under some scrutiny given the passing of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, who has bankrolled large portions of money into the career of Maldonado as well as sponsoring the Williams team.