Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya has described his link-up with McLaren for the 2005 Formula One season as an amazing challenge.
”I am thrilled to be joining Team McLaren Mercedes,” said the Colombian driver, who finished third in this season’s championship.
”The team is consistently a strong world championship contender and has a fantastic heritage.
”It’s a great opportunity for me and I’m really looking forward to the first time I will be able to drive one of their cars. To join them is an amazing challenge and experience which I plan to fully enjoy.”
Last month McLaren boss Ron Dennis denied reports he was prepared to pay a $25-million indemnity to Williams-BMW counterpart Frank Williams to secure the Colombian’s services before his contract expired.
Montoya is commited to Williams until the end of 2004.
Montoya won the International Formula 3000 Championship in 1998 and became the youngest CART Champion to date in 1999. In the following year he took victory in the prestigious Indianapolis 500 race in his first attempt.
He made his Formula One debut in 2001 and has claimed three Grand Prix victories, 11 pole positions and finished third in this year’s World Championship.
McLaren will confirm the full 2005 driver line-up at a later date but the teams 2004 challenge will be led by David Coulthard and Kimi Raikkonen.
”We want to win races and world championships, and in order to do so we have to plan for the future while applying every effort in the short term,” Dennis said in a statement.
”The opportunity to sign a talent like Juan Pablo was too good to miss, and there is already a considerable amount of anticipation within our team about 2005.
”Juan Pablo has achieved a considerable amount of success in his career and we are certain that he will add to this with Team McLaren Mercedes. We are certainly looking forward to seeing what he can do in one of our cars and I believe that its a prospect that can’t fail to excite Formula One fans around the world.
”However, until that happens we will be focusing all efforts on our 2004 Championship challenge.” — Sapa-AFP