Maldonado courted by Manor for WEC debut

©WRI2

Pastor Maldonado may compete in next month's Mexican round of the World Endurance Championship with Manor, according to one of the team's drivers.

Mexican Alfonso Toledano, who drives the #44 Manor Oreca 05-Nissan with Tor Graves, suggested that the former Williams and Lotus F1 driver could join the pair in Mexico.

"We know there is still a place in the team," said Gonzalez. "We do not know who will occupy it, but we've heard that it can be an experienced driver from Formula 1.

"It could be Pastor Maldonado. Now, the team does not have a decision so we need to wait, we are waiting to confirm the third driver."

Maldonado started his F1 career with Williams in 2011, achieving an outstanding win with the Grove outfit in Spain the following year.

The Venezuelan moved to Lotus in 2014 but results were few and far between. Over the course of his 95 Grand Prix career, the 30-year-old Maldonado earned himself an enviable 'fast but erratic' reputation owed to endless on-track incidents.

Manor's WEC effort, which is managed by former F1 headmen John Booth and Graeme Lowdon, already includes in its regular line-up former F1 driver Roberto Mehri.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.