Maldonado hoped Rosberg shuffle would open up F1 chance

The Venezuelan, who was left without a drive after the 2015 season, has been considering his racing options for the year ahead.

As well as some discussions about an IndyCar move, he held talks with Sauber at the end of last year but could not reach an agreement.

However, he says that recently he had aspirations of getting an even more competitive F1 seat amid the movements caused by Mercedes needing to find a new teammate for Lewis Hamilton.

In the end though, Mercedes' move for Valtteri Bottas opened the door for Felipe Massa, and Pascal Wehrlein's switch to Sauber closed off Maldonado's last real chance.

Speaking to Motorsport.com about rumours linking him to F1, Maldonado said that he was only interested in returning in a competitive seat – which is why Sauber did not get far.

"I evaluated the options and I'm still considering all the possibilities about doing a proper professional programme – and of course F1 is one of the categories that interests me," he said.

"I had the chance to come back, but I only wanted to do it with the right conditions – not like the ones I had in my previous experience."

He added: "After Rosberg quit, that could have created a domino situation that would have guaranteed me a good chance – but things turned out differently.

"Alternatively, there was the possibility of going to Sauber – which is a good team, with a lot of experience, but has been having a difficult time. We decided in the end though that the conditions were not right to satisfy either side.

"It's a difficult time for many teams in F1 – not just Sauber – because their choices are dictated by economic reasons."

IndyCar opportunity

Most recently Maldonado has been linked with an IndyCar drive with KV Racing, but he says any offer will only be accepted if he is convinced it will give him the chance to be competitive.

"I hear so many rumours about myself, but the news never comes from me," he said. "Last year I attended an IndyCar race, to which I was invited – and probably some have linked this visit to me racing in the series.

"At the moment there is nothing concrete, and in this case also I will only accept a proposal if I believe in its quality and that it can bring me the right conditions for a good season."

When asked if he would consider abandoning top-line single seaters, he said: "Yes – I have looked at the full 360-degree spectrum of options. There is WEC, IndyCar as well as Formula E.

"But at the moment I have not agreed to anything. Until I find the right chance, I will stay quiet. Yes, I want to get back on the race track, but only as long as I can do it right."