Williams delighted with Montoya

Williams technical director Patrick head and team boss Frank Williams are delighted with Juan Pablo Montoya's Monaco victory and praised the great job by the Colombian. It was Montoya's second win, the first being a long time ago at Monza in 2001, ...

Williams technical director Patrick head and team boss Frank Williams are delighted with Juan Pablo Montoya's Monaco victory and praised the great job by the Colombian. It was Montoya's second win, the first being a long time ago at Monza in 2001, but Williams said he never doubted his ability.

Juan Pablo Montoya celebrates victory with wife Connie.

Photo by Brousseau Photo.

"It's too early to say what effect it may have on the team or the championship," the team boss said. "But it is a very welcome victory. Juan Pablo was superb. He didn't put a wheel wrong. He was under a lot of pressure, but he never lost control. I have never had any doubts at all about Juan-Pablo. He has been very strong and fast and he has really matured this season."

Montoya started third on the grid and beat McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen to the first corner to run second behind Williams teammate Ralf Schumacher. He then beat pole sitter Schumacher in the first round of pit stops and led to the chequered flag.

"I rate this win very, very highly," remarked Head. "It was a long time coming. It was a very exciting race and we didn't make a mistake, but it was a battle all the way. We could never relax and Juan Pablo did a superb job. I was nervous in the last few laps, but I was never negative."

Montoya is now fifth in the championship standings after the race win, actually managing to get to the end this time: "It is the first time I finish in Monaco in Formula One," he commented. "The first year I lasted three laps, the second about forty-something and, you know, the first time I finish the race I win it. It is pretty good."

BMW is also pleased with the win after some recent rather frosty relations between Williams and its engine supplier: "It was based on a strong combination. Michelin supplied us with a really great tyre," said motorsport director Gerhard Berger.

"Then there was Juan Pablo Montoya, who made not one single mistake and drove aggressively from lap one to the chequered flag. And last, but not least the WilliamsF1 BMW FW25 that has proved since the start of the season to be a very reliable car. In short words: Everything was fitting well."”