Maldonado admits no easy answer for problems

The Lotus driver has had a frustrating early part to the campaign, getting involved in a series of incidents that have left him with just a single 15th place finish for his efforts.

Team insiders have suggested that the situation is particularly frustrating because Maldonado has shown impressive speed and tyre management that proves he has what it takes to do well if he can deliver that consistently.

Ahead of a race on the Monaco street circuit where he excelled in junior categories, Maldonado says there was little point ruing lost opportunities, and key now was focusing on getting the job done.

"Why is always a difficult one," he said, when asked to reflect on his recent frustrations.

"Many, many things together have happened. On the one hand, you say, okay it is a bit strange because everything is happening at the same time.

"But then there is nothing sometimes that we can do to work with the past. We can only improve the future.

"Yes, I had some problems. I was hit in the first two races by some other guys, so this is uncontrollable from our side, and this is motor racing.

"Then I had a mistake as well in China, so it is something that is coming all together."

Mounting frustrations in Spain

The Spanish GP a fortnight ago was typical of the kind of season Maldonado is having. After some strong early race pace he collided with teammate Romain Grosjean and suffered a damaged rear wing.

"We were quite good, especially in the race, recovering so many places," he said.

"I was doing a very good job, but then the rear wing failed. So we have been trying to understand why.

"It was a small contact with my team-mate but nothing relative too big. For sure it is not the best to have a contact with your team-mate.

"We all are competing and we respect each other. It was a little bit of misunderstanding about both; it is nothing in particular. It was a very small contact, nothing very dangerous."

Air cleared with Grosjean

Maldonado said in a race preview to Monaco that he had not spoken to Grosjean about their incident in Spain, but has made clear now that things have been sorted out.

"We spoke, and there is no problem at all. It was nearly nothing: it was racing.

"It was very, very close. I invite you to review the image, and it was nothing. It was a very simple touch."