Pastor Maldonado will start tomorrow's Australian Grand Prix despite failing to set a lap time in qualifying. A power-unit problem meant the Venezuelan emerged on track in Q1 as the predicted rain arrived. He suffered several off-track excursions while slowly returning to the Lotus pit garage on slick tyres and was the only driver to not put in a timed lap. As he failed to meet the 107 per cent qualifying rule, the stewards met to assess the situation and decide if he should start the race. He was granted permission to compete on the grounds that he 'set satisfactory times in practice.' The stewards added that 'such a grant is not precedent for further races.' The 29-year-old will line...
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