SBRS: Montoya acclimates to Formula 1

Former Barber Pro Series racer Juan Montoya has begun to settle in with BMW WilliamsF1 as he prepares for the next phase of his racing career; his Formula 1 debut in 2001.

Montoya, the 1999 CART FedEx Series Champion and winner of the 2000 Indianapolis 500, arrived in London from Miami on Tuesday, moved into his new apartment and was handed the keys to his new company ride. He spent Wednesday with his new team, for whom he was a test driver in 1998 before to moving over to CART, talking with team owner Sir Frank Williams and technical director Patrick Head.

According to team spokesperson Nav Sidhu, "He has been in many meetings and has been visiting various departments in an effort to meet the people he knew from his days as a test driver, as well as getting to know the new ones who have arrived since then. He will also be having a seat fitting and his main task over the next couple of days is to reacquaint himself with WilliamsF1."

Montoya will get his first seat time over the weekend of Dec. 5-7, when the team heads to Jerez for a three-day test. In addition to a new chassis and BMW engine for 2001, the team will also have Michelin tires with which to acclimatize themselves.

</pre> His record in the Barber Pro Series is as follows:

- Third in Championship with 114 points

- Two race wins (Miami, Mid-Ohio)

- One pole (Mid-Ohio)

- Three fastest race laps (Miami, Mid-Ohio, Road America)

-- Andrew Torres