( CNN ) -- Another place on Formula One 's motorized merry-go-round has been filled for the 2014 season . Pastor Maldonado has been named as Frenchman Romain Grosjean 's teammate at the Lotus F1 team after leaving Williams . Maldonado , whose deal with Williams had been funded by the Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA , has filled the Lotus seat vacated by 2007 world champion Kimi Raikkonen , who is returning to Ferrari . `` It is a fantastic opportunity for me to join Lotus F1 team for 2014 , '' Maldonado said in a statement . `` It 's no secret that I have wanted a change of scene to help push on with my Formula 1 career and Lotus offered the very best opportunity for me to be competitive next season . `` The regulations and cars will change significantly so it is a very good time for a fresh start . '' The Venezuelan made his F1 debut in 2011 with Williams and the following season he clinched a shock win for the former world champion team at the Spanish Grand Prix -- the first by an F1 driver from his country . Maldonado 's brief reign in Spain was the high point of his relationship with Williams , a partnership that showed signs of stress towards the end of the last campaign . At the penultimate United States Grand Prix , the 28-year-old said : `` Leaving is an important moment for my career . '' Before signing for Lotus , Maldonado was among of group of F1 protagonists without a drive at the end of the 2013 season , which reached its climax in Brazil last weekend . Force India duo Paul di Resta and Adrian Sutil , McLaren 's Sergio Perez , Sauber pair Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutierrez , Marussia 's British driver Max Chilton and Caterham pairing Charles Pic and Giedo Van Der Garde are yet to settle their futures . Many drivers are now expected to fund their own drives in F1 , a problem that has been exacerbated ahead of the new season . A major rule change looms large in 2014 and that means the 11 teams are having their resources stretched , with the new turbo engines alone estimated to be three times more expensive than the ones being phased out . Grosjean has managed to avoid the fray of the driver market by securing a third straight season with Lotus . After an erratic 2012 season , which included a one-race ban for dangerous driving , the 27-year-old showed consistent improvement in 2013 , racing to six podiums . His performances were enough to see Lotus take up the option to extend his contract . `` I am very happy to have official confirmation that I will be continuing to drive for Lotus next season , '' said Grosjean , who , like Maldonado , became a father for the first time in 2013 . `` This past year has been tremendously satisfying for me . I know everyone is motivated to continue the fight for every last point available . '' Although Lotus won the opening race of 2013 in Australia , the final part of the season was overshadowed by speculation over the team 's finances . Lead driver Raikkonen , who opted to have back surgery rather than race in the final two grands prix of the year , was reported to be owed $ 20 million in wages . The arrival of Maldonado is likely to help boost the team 's coffers as he is expected to once again bring financial support to his new team . Lotus team principal Eric Boullier added : `` It is clear that Pastor has pace and potential . We are convinced that we will be able to provide the correct environment to enable him to flourish regularly on track . `` With Romain and Pastor I believe Lotus will be able to cause quite a few surprises next year . ''
Pastor Maldonado and Alex Grosjean will race for the Williams Formula One team in 2014 . Maldonado joins from Williams to replace Kimi Raikkonen , who is returning to Ferrari . French driver Hamilton retains his seat at UK - based team for third straight year . Maldonado is expected to receive financial support from native Venezuela .