Williams driver Pastor Maldonado got the opportunity to tear up the streets of Caracus, the capital of his homeland, Venezuela.
The 25-year-old, who will join the team for the 2011 season, got behind the wheel of the FW32 for a demonstration run in-front of a packed home crowd which included President Chavez.
Pastor expressed pleasure in seeing so many people turn up to watch the first Venezuelan drive an F1 car – with estimated numbers reaching 20,000.
“It was unbelievable to share this experience with my countrymen,” he said through a smile. “The amount of people that turned out to watch was just amazing.
“Los Próceres is a very important place so to drive a Formula One car there is special to me. I was also honoured to drive in front of our President, Mr Chavez. What a great way to start my season!”
Williams chairman Adam Parr commented: “We’ve had an amazing day in Caracas, with what looked like about 20,000 people in attendance.
“Los Próceres, a very important monument to the liberators of Venezuela, was a very dramatic setting for the event and we were honoured with the presence of a number of Ministers and, of course, President Chavez.
“Pastor did a great job, as did the team, and I think we gave the people of Caracas a taste of how exciting Formula One is.”
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