Well, not literally! The man’s too old and too fat to drive a F1 car. But since Williams F1 team has signed Venezuelan driver Pastor Maldonado – to gain sponsorship of PDVSA – and PDVSA is Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, that means the controversial politician now has a hand in the world’s most glamorous sport.

Pastor Maldonado is a GP2 winner who will race alongside the Brazilian Rubens Barrichello next year in a new Williams car that sports the livery of the oil company. Frank Williams is happy with the deal and believes that PDVSA’s oil money will help them create a very competitive team for 2011 season. They hope to achieve a better result than 2010’s sixth place in Constructors’ Championship.

“They are a substantial partner and can make a meaningful difference to our fighting ability,” Williams said in a statement.

PDVSA’s head of corporate affairs Julio Gonzalez added: “Pastor will fly our flag this year and carry the hopes of an entire country in this new chapter of his career.”

source: ESPN F1 picture: Getty via ESPN