$$$$ not skill yet again in 2015

[Rolling Stone]

How sad to read this A.M. that Pastor(Rent-A-wreck)Maldonado is back with LOTUS again in 2015,LOTUS will be ordering lots of extra spares for his car in 2015.

[rickb99]

That news was talked about during the Russian GP. So, although shocking, not real news. Just shows you what a little bit of cash can do for you.

Maldonado brings about 45 MILLION pounds to his team thanks to Hugo Chavez. Next one in line is Buno Senna with about 12 million pounds of Brazilian oil money.

[Steve Bamford]

It is too bad there can't be a way that there were only paid drivers in F1 & not paying drivers to make sure we see the best talent possible. Thinking about it there have likely been paying drivers forever though in one shape or another.

[TimH]

If drivers can't bring $ to the team there will be that many fewer teams. Niki Lauda bought his first rides..

[SEComposites]

He does have money, but he's certainly not devoid of talent. GP2 champion and an F1 winner. given a quick car he could be good.

[Rolling Stone]

He does have money, but he's certainly not devoid of talent. GP2 champion and an F1 winner. given a quick car he could be good.

Listening to David Coulthard when F1 is on TV,and watching all the races,he is subtle about it but he tells it like it is,Im sure its a joking topic with the other teams...F2 champ or not.

[mmi16]

If racing depended upon PAID drivers - there wouldn't be much racing. The PAYING driver has been the backbone of 'professional' racing from the time purses were offered as prizes.

[SEComposites]

Look who's driving for Caterham this weekend. Pretty sad state of affairs. I'd take Pastor any day!

[rickb99]

Kobayashi cause his seat it already paid for. Ericsson is dumped in favor of Will Stevens who brings more cash to the game.

I just read where BERNIE gave PERMISSION for Caterham to miss the US and Brazil races which just cracks me up!! They have zero money. How did Bernie think they were going to get there, hire covered wagons?

I don't know why but sometimes his arrogance still amazes me.

[dalz]

Bernie probably allowed them to miss those races without crippling forfeitures of travel and prize money and such for the whole year, etc.

Heck when Bernie himself owned the powerhouse Brabham team how did he help fund Nelson Piquet Sr.'s championship efforts? With a wealthy hack in the 2nd car. (Ricardo Zunino, Hector Rebaque)

Sheesh you guys are starting to sound like you're all from central Indiana. "Give them midget drivers a chance!"

[dalz]

He does have money, but he's certainly not devoid of talent. GP2 champion and an F1 winner. given a quick car he could be good.

He's in a spot similar to Pedro Diniz back when. Even Sir Frank said he developed into a pretty good shoe, but since he bought his ride to get in, he will always have to.

[NPalacioM3]

It is too bad there can't be a way that there were only paid drivers in F1 & not paying drivers to make sure we see the best talent possible. Thinking about it there have likely been paying drivers forever though in one shape or another.

Always has and always will be the case. At all levels of motorsports. Just is what it is.