Maldonado eyes improvement

Pastor Maldonado has called on Williams to cure their ills "in record time" if he is to have any hope of claiming another win this season.

In the wake of last weekend's season-opening Australian Grand Prix in which Maldonado qualified a poor 17th before retiring on lap 25 after spinning into gravel, the Venezuelan declared the car "undriveable".

Although Maldonado claims headway has been made over the past few days, he laughed off suggestions it was enough to propel him back towards the front at this weekend's second round in Malaysia where he finished practice down in 16th.

But if he is to repeat his win in Spain last year, which was on merit as the Grove-based marque ended a seven-and-half-year drought, Maldonado knows time is of the essence.

"It's clear we have problems with the car, but we know where they are and we feel we have a solution," said Maldonado.

"Obviously we hope the problems are short term because this car has potential. Its heart is from last year's car, so we've no excuses in having big problems.

"It's a combination of parts and particulars we have introduced on the car and we are trying to understand.

"Last weekend the car was very difficult to drive. I had all the problems you could have with a car.

"But with the analysis we have done, it's clear where the problems are and hopefully we have a solution.

"We are working very hard to fix them in record time, but you never know what you do will be the right thing for the car.

"But I feel confident the guys have done a good job over the past few days, but don't expect anything this weekend. That is clear.

"It's impossible to go from 20 to the front so quick, that would be a miracle, so the best I can hope for is top 10, maybe."

Maldonado is convinced that given the car's potential, stepping back on to the top step of the podium again is feasible if the issues can be swiftly resolved.

"We need to work hard this year because the differences between the teams are even smaller," added Maldonado.

"We need to be up there with the top teams, maybe not winning all the races, but it's possible to do well, to be on the podium.

"We need to extract 100 per cent of what we achieved over the winter, which is not the case at the moment, because the potential is there.

"I am certain the car is very good, but we need to work hard, to be there as a team when the opportunity comes, to be ready to react, and do our best.

"That's not just from my side, but the team showed after many years they are ready to win."