Pastor Maldonado has backed Lotus ART driver Jules Bianchi to succeed him as GP2 champion ahead of this weekend's opening round of the championship in Turkey.
The Venezuelan, who drove for ART in 2009 but won the title for Rapax last year, believes that Bianchi has the speed and the consistency to take the crown despite the Frenchman failing to win a race during his 2010 campaign.
"Jules Bianchi is my guy for GP2," Maldonado told AUTOSPORT. "He has the potential to be competitive and he's in a very competitive team, so I hope that he can win. He is one of the most complete drivers and with the Ferrari F1 running, he has more experience."
Maldonado believes that ex-Renault F1 driver Romain Grosjean, who beat Bianchi to the GP2 Asia title this year, will also be a contender.
"Grosjean is so quick, but maybe not so consistent," said Maldonado. "But everything can change and there are many competitive teams and drivers. It will be an interesting championship."