Maldonado set to be joker in the pack

ABU DHABI, Nov 3, 2012 (AFP) - Pastor Maldonado on Saturday warned Formula One's title protagonists Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso that he plans to be the joker in the pack in Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The 27-year-old Williams driver qualified in fourth place for the 55-laps race at the Yas Marina Circuit and will line up behind the two Red Bulls, but ahead of Ferrari's title-chasing Alonso.

Defending champion and series leader Sebastian Vettel qualified third behind Lewis Hamilton of McLaren and his Red Bull team-mate Mark Webber, who was second.

Maldonado, who has endured spells in his career when he was involved in a series of controversial collisions, said he had enjoyed a big return to form and planned to attack from the start.

"We need to look at ourselves," he said. "Points would be very important for us so I will push at the maximum and then we'll see.

"I think we have very strong pace and are very competitive. I think we showed all through the weekend that we were competitive and very consistent in different conditions.

"I did my best -- the car was right there and on the pace so I'm very happy for the team and very happy for myself as well. We're back to being strong again and will aim for a good race and finish."