Whatever he says, Maldonado has built up quite a charge sheet over the past few seasons. After his victory in Barcelona, it was another nine races before he finished in the points again. In Belgium he collected three penalties in just that weekend. 2013 was a so-so season. To many people’s amazement, he signed for Team Lotus at the end of that year, helped no doubt by the oil sponsorship he brings as part of any deal. With Lotus way off the pace, 2014 was another chequered campaign. There were the two memorable collisions with Gutiérrez – not to mention a regular flurry of practice off-track excursions – and one points finish.