Todt hopeful of Maldonado, Bianchi stepping up

Nicolas Todt says he feels that current GP2 points leader Pastor Maldonado is ready to make the step into F1 for the 2011 season.

The Venezuelan racer has been in dominant form this season to lead the GP2 title race and has been linked to a drive in F1 next season, along with fellow GP2 racer Jules Bianchi.

Both drivers are managed by Todt - the son of FIA president Jean Todt - and he said he felt both could do a job if given the chance to compete in F1.

"Pastor is doing a stunning season so far in GP2," he told 422race.com. "Speed-wise he is very impressive and he is in a very good team. He feels well inside the team and he is doing the best he has ever done in the past. For Jules, after a difficult start, he was looking very well before the accident [in Hungary]. He is surely a big talent, so I'm very happy about both drivers.

"You need to do some results if you want to aim for Formula One. I think that Pastor is showing that he is now mature to go to F1, so next year will be the right timing. Jules is still young, he has two years of open wheels behind him, which is very little, but he is a very big talent and if he has the chance to do Formula One next year, he has to take it. The goal is to go to F1 as soon as possible."

Speculation has suggested that Maldonado could be set to join Sauber for next season, but Todt refused to be drawn on the rumours.

"I don't want to go into details," he said, "but obviously I'm talking to a few teams about next year for both drivers."