Todt wants to place Maldonado and Bianchi in F1

For Nicolas Todt, his manager, Pastor Maldonado has all the qualities required to go to Formula 1. The Venezuelan, leader of the current GP2 Series championship, is in his fourth consecutive season in the discipline. Winner of the Formula Renault 2.0 Italian in 2004, he placed third in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series championship in 2006. Driving for a fourth team in four GP2 Series seasons, he finally found the path to success with Rapax (ex-Piquet GP) and could succeed Nico Hulkenberg in the GP2 Series prize list.

Thus, he believes that the current series leader is his best candidate for F1. “ Pastor is having an incredible season in GP2, explains Todt to 422race.com. From a speed perspective, it's astonishing. He can count on a very good team. He is very good there and has never done so well. »

Jules Bianchi, managed by Todt and who rides in his team (ART Grand Prix), is full of qualities, is also one of the contenders for F1, even if his accident in Budapest could be a hindrance. “ For Jules, after a difficult start, the outlook seemed perfect before his accident. He has a lot of talent. » The manager of the two drivers acknowledges that contacts have been made with several teams. “ I won't go into details, but obviously I have spoken with several teams, with a view to next season, for both drivers. »

Despite his recent arrival in GP2, Todt believes Bianchi has as much chance of joining F1 as Maldonado. “ I think Pastor is ripe for F1. Next year would be a good time. Concerning Jules, he is still young, he only has two years of experience in car (actually three, Bianchi having been French Formula Renault 2.0 Champion in 2007) but if he has an opportunity for next year, he will take it. The goal is to go to F1 as soon as possible. »

Being part of the Ferrari Driver Academy, Jules Bianchi even has a better chance of entering Formula 1 than the former ART Grand Prix driver. Supported by the FFSA, crowned with a title in F3 Euro Series, the Frenchman showed himself, during the first half of the GP2 Series season, as the best beginner in the discipline. Let's bet that the Budapest accident is just an incident in Jules Bianchi's career.