Article fromF1live.com

Montoya at McLaren in 2005 ?
According to the Colombian press, it's a done deal [12/08/03 - 19:54]




Juan Pablo Montoya

Colombian magazine Revista Cambio announced in its latest edition that Juan-Pablo Montoya has signed a contract with McLaren for 2005 and beyond. The contract was supposedly signed in July, during the British Grand Prix weekend.

The Williams driver has been linked with McLaren ever since David Coulthard's contrat renewal has been slow to materialise for next season. Speculation started to spread that Montoya would make the switch to McLaren in 2004 but Frank Williams confirmed that Montoya had a solid contract with them for 2004 and would not be allowed to leave the team.

Even If Montoya isn't free to go in 2004, nothing can stop him to move to another team in 2005. We must wonder, however, if such a move would be positive for the Colombian. With Williams and BMW actually dominating the last few races since Monaco and a renewed long term partnership between the team and its engine partner, Montoya has all the ingredients in place to win races and championship titles.

Not that McLaren is a bad option, but recently the team has been struggling to keep up with Ferrari and is having a hard time with its new car, the MP4-18. The new McLaren has failed repeatedly the FIA crash test and is still showing major reliability issues. A little bit worrying to say the least. These situations are not indicating that the team is in control at the moment.




If the news coming from Colombia is true, Juan-Pablo Montoya decided to make the change for reasons that are not obvious. Even if at the moment Montoya has reportedly a lower income than Ralf Schumacher at Williams, it is not a good time to sign a contract with another team, especially that the Colombian may possibly win the title this year. If he does, his "market value" might sky rocket so it makes more sense for him to wait after the end of this season to negotiate (or re-negotiate) a contract. Looking at what Jacques Villeneuve is making now after winning his world championship title compared to what he was making before 1997 is a good example of why Montoya should wait.

On McLaren's side, a team spokesperson said to Revista Cambio that the team will not make any comment on the situation for now. "Ron Dennis will talk about the 2005 season only when it is considered to be the right moment."

 

This rumor's been brewing for some time (I recall first hearing it about a month ago).

If true, I bet that Montoya is probably unhappy with BMW - my guess is that that BMW would prefers a German (Ralf) winning with its motor.

Still, I kind of agree with the author of the article, it would be kind of stupid for JPM to sign any kind of contract before his true value for 2005 is known (although I supose there could be all manner of clauses taking into account his final 2003/2004 championship status for determining compensation).

 

Should JPM win the championship this year that would clinch this deal. Frank Williams does not know how to retain world championship drivers. He doesn't want to spend the money. That would leave JPM to steam all of next year before leaving...

 

As of today, Coulthard has been resigned for 2004, and Schumie, JPM and Raikkonen are only 2 points apart in the championship. So, if JPM wins the championship, he'll have to find another safe harbor in which to dock. Because Frank Williams will NOT pay him what he would be worth next year.

Frank Williams was smart enough to drop cigarette sponsorship for Computer sponsorship... Why is he so clueless about retaining his best drivers after they win championships for him?

 

And about retaining Ralph... That guy is worthless.

 

Ralph is actually a fantastic driver but hes always over shadowed by his older brother. He gets a lot of undue slack, I guess people are expecting a lot from the same family bloodlines.

I have my doubts about JPM joining McLaren the two personalities would crash too much to be an effective team. I remember an article where they said JPM started screaming '******' to the Williams crew in the middle of the race. They told him to shut up since he was the only ****** around.

It goes very very far from the traditional McLaren ice cold men of the past. Even though JPM is a good driver - hes not great. McLaren needs to spend the money and buy Mark Webber out of his 3 year Jaguar contract.

 

I disagree. Ralph has always been a mediocre driver with mediocre results, lucky to stay in the middle of the field. He has never been much of a passer. He has only recently started to win some races, but that's obviously because the Williams/BMW/Michelin car is currently the best of the bunch.

I agree that Webber would be a good choice. I can see a bidding war between the top 4 or 5 teams trying to buy him.

 

? Ralph was in 18th place and fought his way right behind Montoya he was right there 16-30 seconds behind towards the end of the race. If Montoya had Ralphs pace he could have EASILY finished 1st ahead of Alonso.

Hes always struggled with a poor car ie the FW24 he cant push it to the edge like Montoya can but thats all where Montoyas skill is hes not an all out race driver but he can push the car to the limits.

 

That's because the Williams is far superior to all the cars he had to pass. In addition to not having the ***** to pass when it counts, he also makes stupid mistakes (just like his brother), such as running into Ruebens and Kimi. And I have always called him the king of the lock-ups. Race after race, year after year, the guy locks up more than everybody else put together. He has mediocre car control and no *****, so no wonder he's always been mediocre in the standings, even though the Williams is usually a good car. Only now that it's clearly the best is he able to pass some cars.

I forgot- why was Ralph in 18th place in the last race?

 

Having followed JPM's career for many years and seen him drive up close many times and spoken with a number drivers who have raced against him...and to some of his instructors.....anyone who says he is not a GREAT driver simply does not understand him.

If I owned a team I would choose him in a second over MICHAEL let alone Ralf.

the combination of Kimi and JPM would be unbelievable and would complement each beautifully

 

Agreed. All of that.

 

JPM is useless. I wouldn't call Ralph worthless, he is either the second or third highest paid driver on the circuit. JV is worthless/useless as is the BAR team. Personally I wouldn't want to see JPM behind the wheel of a Maclaren Mercedes---although I wouldn't mind seeing him with Minardi or maybe even Toyota.
As for DCs replacement, Heidfeld would be suitable.

 

1)Michael Schumacher 72
2)Juan Pablo Montoya 71
3)Kimi Raikkonen 70
...
16) Nick Heidfeld 2

I'm not seeing your logic.

 

Alonso was a tester last year and the year before that he was with Minardi or one of the other smaller teams. Same goes for Raikkonen. The only people who really shine are those in the top three teams (or in the current scenario 4). Webber has shined brilliantly, I knew he was talented back in his LeMans days but I never dreamed he was as good as the potential he is showing now. Anyone remember who was voted the #1 driver among current F1 drivers (I honestly cant remember).

I 100% agree with Goggles on his assesment. JPM will probably go the way of JV (another useless driver who still thinks hes hot stuff). JPM might win the tournament this year but he will NOT fit in with many teams. Hes too emotional for McLaren, no one at Ferrari will love him the way they love Michael (or any of their other previous stars), Williams already hate his guts all thats left for him is one of the smaller teams, who will splurge a massive pay check at him.

I do not see the fanfare surrounding JPM granted he is an 'American' champion which means nothing to most people outside the states. All I have seen is a hot blooded South American with average F1 skill and loads of arrogance. If he cools down and gains a more rational approach to the sport he will do quite well for himself but he is not a future legend the way Alonso, Kimi and Webber will be.

 

The only thing JPM has going is his Hot Wife

 

Hmmm, it worked for Senna...

And, I don't understand the Webber worship, either.

 

JPM is hardly hot blooded...he actually has remained more cool headed and ballsy in his confrontations with Michael than either Kimi or Michael himself.

On pace he is unbelievably relaxed

What makes him a great partner for Kimi is the difference in his technique...they are both very consistant but in diffferent ways.

 

Thought you guys might find this interesting. My company does a lot of the awards & promotional items for Indy. Here is a scan of one of the plaques we did that was presented to Jaun. Noitce that there is no 'Pablo' in there. My dad met him at the Rookie Luncheon, said he was very quiet and shy.