Q&A: Pastor Maldonado on the Italian Grand Prix

A 10-place grid penalty has left the Williams driver facing an uphill task to score points at Monza.

Pastor Maldonado has been in trouble with the stewards a few times in 2012.
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Pastor Maldonado has a 10-place grid penalty to take into Sunday's Italian Grand Prix, but the Williams driver remains upbeat.

You face a penalty on Sunday. Is your race over before it's started? How frustrating is that?

For sure it is difficult and I am not happy, but what to do? We have to race and fortunately, this track, you can recover on the straight. We are looking to have a good top speed and a different approach and do the best we can in qualifying. Monza is one of the tracks where you can overtake more easily than other tracks, so a recovery is possible.

Romain Grosjean has been banned for one race because of last week's crash at Spa. You have been penalised several time this season. Do you fear you may get banned?

I've been penalised quite a lot, yes, but we need to try something different to be away from the stewards. I am doing my best because that is the best solution: to avoid the stewards.

And how do you do it? What's the plan?

Sometimes I've been involved in small incidents and have ended up in the stewards' office, so I need to make sure I stay away from trouble, do my own thing, but still push my hardest for the team and for myself.

Do you think you are too aggressive?

Sometimes I am, but aggression is one of my characteristics. I need to use it when I need it - not always. And not all my penalties have been because of that; some are for stupid things.

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& Gary Meenaghan