Venezuela's Pastor Maldonado secures GP2 title

Venezuelan Pastor Maldonado won the GP2 championship, the recognised Formula One feeder series, despite crashing out of Sunday's race at the Italian Grand Prix.

Past GP2 champions who have graduated from the series to Formula One include McLaren's 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg, Williams' Nico Hulkenberg and Virgin's Timo Glock.

Maldonado, sponsored by Venezuelan state oil company PDVSA, secured his title with two races to spare after Mexican rival Sergio Perez failed to win on Sunday.

The driver said in an interview in June that he felt his chances of being on the 2011 Formula One grid were very high.

"Venezuela is pushing very hard for me, to have me in Formula One," he said.