![Pastor Maldonado, a close friend of Hugo Chavez, received a phone call from the Venezuelan president after Sunday's race. Mark Thompson / Getty Images](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/65JVYHY6ZA5ZCATYMDRZ2YCPME.jpg?smart=true&auth=5392fd9ee342988c80c1b97a30cc7216defaa2c55a35539150f3638894469133&width=400&height=225)
Pastor Maldonado, a close friend of Hugo Chavez, received a phone call from the Venezuelan president after Sunday's race. Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Pastor Maldonado, a close friend of Hugo Chavez, received a phone call from the Venezuelan president after Sunday's race. Mark Thompson / Getty Images
Patriotic Pastor Maldonado ignores his critics and dreams of F1 title
The Venezuelan driver's backing from state-owned company has come under scrutiny, but he is still basking in the glory of his first grand prix win.