Maldonado looking at Indycar opportunity - Uh oh!

Former Williams and Lotus driver Pastor Maldonado is currently in talks with Indycar squad KV Racing for a limited road course and street circuit programme.

Maldonado left Formula 1 at the end of the 2015 season after 95 Grand Prix and achieving a race win with Williams in Barcelona in 2015.

The Venezuelan's efforts to return to Grand Prix racing have not been fruitful, so he has now set his sights on racing in America's premier single-seater series with the Kevin Kalkhoven/Jimmy Vasser-owned outfit.

Maldonado's interest in the series came about last year when he visited the Indycar round at Iowa Speedway as a guest of former Williams manager Adam Parr, who now works for Cosworth which is part-owned by Kevin Kalkhoven.

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Given Maldonado's track record in F1, or rather his crash record, it's reassuring the former Lotus driver isn't thinking of racing on ovals where his lack of experience and ease coupled with his somewhat marginal sense of judgment would likely put himself , and others, in danger.

One caveat however related to Maldonado's eventual foray into Indycar is KV Racing's current state of affairs.

The team was looking to partner with Carlin for 2017 but with the partnership between the two entities apparently uncertain, KV Racing may be forced to turn away from its Indycar involvement.

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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.