Theissen confident of Montoya commitment

BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen thinks Juan Pablo Montoya will be just as committed to winning the title with Williams in 2004 as he was this year, despite the Colombian leaving the team in favour of McLaren for 2005. The announcement came ...

BMW motorsport director Mario Theissen thinks Juan Pablo Montoya will be just as committed to winning the title with Williams in 2004 as he was this year, despite the Colombian leaving the team in favour of McLaren for 2005. The announcement came today, November 17th, that Montoya will join McLaren in 2005, after lengthy speculation about his future.

Juan Pablo Montoya.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

"At the end of 2004, Juan will have been driving for our team for four years. It's quite normal to think about switching teams after that period of time," said Theissen. The BMW man added that he didn't think Montoya's decision would affect his performance with Williams next year.

"You doesn't get the chance to win a World Championship title all day. If the chance is there, you must take it. Juan knows that too. I'm convinced that he will be just as motivated in 2004 as he's been up to now."

Theissen did not want to make any comment as to whom would replace Montoya, only saying: "We'll talk about the quality of the new drivers' duo when the decision is final." Juan Pablo will continue next year at Williams with Ralf Schumacher: Schumacher's contract also comes to a close at the end of 2004.

Montoya said he is "thrilled" with the move to McLaren but for the moment 2004 and the title fight is his main focus: "My short term aim is to concentrate 100 percent on winning the 2004 World Championship," he commented.