Pastor Maldonado, and his PDVSA sponsors, are set to leave the Williams F1 team at the end of the season.

Maldonado and his backers are in exit talks with the Williams outfit, making way for the incoming Felipe Massa. Massa confirmed last weeks that he was in talks with Williams and after much speculation, it was today revealed by Autosport as well as the BBC that Maldonado will leave the team, taking PDVSA with him.

The exit deal has not yet been concluded but it is believed that this will be completed soon in order to allow Maldonado to secure a contract with another team.

Maldonado has already been in talks regarding a 2014 seat with Lotus, Sauber and Force India and will bring with him a £20 million per season backing of the oil company, PDVSA.

Lotus, who have also been in talks with Nico Hulkenberg, would prefer the German driver to join their team but this rests on an investment deal with Quantum Motorsports. Should the investment deal not go through, it is most likely that Maldonado will then get the Lotus seat.

PDVSA is contractually bound to Williams until the end of the 2015 season but it is understood that an agreement will be reached whereby Williams will be compensated for the change in plans.

Maldonado has openly admitted that he is not enjoying the sport this year and is looking for a more competitive car to race in.

Photo credit: Williams F1 Twitter Team