Interview with Montoya

In an interview with BMW, Juan Pablo Montoya reviews a successful season and speaks of his goals for 2003.

Q: How does it feel to be a married man?

Juan Pablo Montoya: Great, Connie and I are very happy and have received many good wishes from lots of people.

Q: What do you think: Does your new status as husband influence your way of driving? Is it possible that you will race more carefully?

JPM: Not at all.

Juan Pablo Montoya and Connie.

Photo by FIA.

Q: The BMW WilliamsF1 Team has finished the season in second position, thereby meeting the goals of the team management. Are you satisfied with this result?

JPM: Due the circumstances I am very satisfied with 2nd place in constructors and 3rd in the Championship, because we improved from last year -- but it is always the best to be 1st

Q: How do you rate the course of your personal F1 season?

JPM: It has been an interesting season, breaking the lap record for the fastest lap in F1 and getting seven pole positions will be my best memories.

Q: What was your highlight of the season?

JPM: Definitely the Qualifying.

Q: You won seven poles in 2002, but in the following races you only scored nine championship points in total. Had there been a point in course of the past season when you believed in something like a "pole curse"?

JPM: No, that is just what motor racing is like.

Q: Compared to your debut season 2001: In which aspects have you been able to improve? Why?

JPM: I am happier with my performance, I am more consistent which comes from reading the tracks. Every year you have to improve in every aspect, the learning and improving the line just can never end.

Q: Gerhard Berger aims at getting closer to Ferrari in 2003. Do you believe that you are going to be able to have an even fight with Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello right until the very end of next season?

JPM: I hope so! For everyone's sake, especially the fans. But I cannot exactly say it will until the new car is ready.

Juan Pablo Montoya.

Photo by Eric Gilbert.

Q: The BMW WilliamsF1 Team has already tested the new P83 engine at Barcelona. Is this early rollout an advantage in further preparation for next year?

JPM: It should give us more time to work on fine tuning.

Q: In which respects is the BMW WilliamsF1 Team in need of improvement, in order to be more successful next season?

JPM: We all need to make better use of the time on track at races, we have learned a great deal in 2002 which will be put to good use in 2003. The driver and the team have to keep improving.

Q: Another topic, namely changed regulations: Is Formula 1 getting more exciting after the introduction of new rules?

JPM: Again, I hope so for the fans (and the drivers) sake!

Q: How do you spend your leisure time during the off-season?

JPM: I spend time with my family and friends, catching up. This winter I got a new hobby which took most of the time: Windsurfing.

Q: What are you goals for 2003?

JPM: I want to win races. But the first goal is always to do better then the season before.

-bmw-