Pastor Maldonado claims he has been "a victim" of first corner contact at the opening two rounds of the season, but is confident his Lotus is capable of scoring points soon.

Maldonado retired from the opening race in Australia after his car was punted off in the second corner and in Malaysia he suffered an early puncture after contact with Valtteri Bottas. He believes he has been unlucky so far and unable to realise the full potential of the new Mercedes-powered Lotus.

"The first corner of a grand prix is always thrilling as you have to balance the opportunities to make up places with the risk of losing them," he said. "Certainly in the first two races this season I've been the victim of other drivers' incidents and that's racing sometimes. The first corners in Shanghai [at the next round] are quite interesting as you've got a decent run down to the right-hander that is turn one, but that flows straight into the tightening turn two so it can get pretty busy!"

Maldonado worked his way back to 12th in Malaysia before a brake problem forced him to retire.

"It was frustrating, especially as by the time I'd caught up with the cars ahead we'd developed an issue with the brakes so it was difficult to attack! It's racing. I've been a bit unlucky, especially in the first corners of the first two races but on the other hand we have a car which is more competitive and this says that we can fight for points through the season. The potential of the car is there, we just need to put everything together and the results will come soon."