Chief F1 Fan

Check this story out:


Juan Pablo Montoya will join McLaren at the end of next season, the team has confirmed.

Montoya will fulfil the final year of his contract with Williams in 2004 before switching to the team's British rivals the following season.

It had long been rumoured that Montoya had agreed to the move – but it still comes as a shock that the news has been confirmed so far in advance.

Montoya said: "I am thrilled to be joining Team McLaren Mercedes. 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.”

However, Montoya insisted that he was currently fully focused on his 2004 campaign with Williams.

He said: “To join [McLaren] is an amazing challenge and experience which I plan to fully enjoy. However, my short term aim is to concentrate 100 per cent on winning the 2004 world championship."

McLaren refused to reveal exactly how long the contract with Montoya will run.

Team boss Ron Dennis said: "We want to win races and world championships, and in order to do so we have to plan for the future whilst applying every effort in the short term.

"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.”

Montoya has taken three race wins and 11 pole positions in his three seasons with Williams.

He is also a former F3000 and ChampCar champion and won the Indy 500 in 2000.

Dennis said: “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 it's a prospect that can't fail to excite Formula 1 fans around the world. However until that happens we will be focusing all efforts on our 2004 championship challenge."

Mercedes boss Norbert Haug added: "Juan Pablo has become well established in International motor racing within a short time and will fit well into our team.

"We have been convinced of Juan Pablo's great talent since he drove a Mercedes-Benz C-Class touring car in the ITC round at Silverstone in 1996."


McLaren made it clear they have yet to confirm their 2005 line-up, but it is expected the Colombian will link up with Kimi Raikkonen, barring any unforeseen circumstances. David Coulthard will almost certainly make way.



Whatta combo--Kimi and JPM, the two hottest drivers on the tour (IMO anyways). Should be a great 05 season, now all I have to do is PRAY Canada stays on the schedule!!!!!!

Red Rider

I just read this on SPEED !! Go McLaren They said they tried to do a deal for 04 but it couldn't be worked out with Williams, i wonder if there is any chance it might still happen ?

Starter

This should be an impressive combo.

Lets see if MS sticks around to 05 to test them. The way he gets the Ferrari team behind him almost guarantees good results. He may just decide the end of 04 is a good time to quit. If he does, it looks like McLaren will be the new super team -- everybody else will be racing for 3rd spot on the podium.

Except for Jaguar who will be scrambling to not get beat by Minardi.

Chief F1 Fan

And Minardi who will be scrambling to not get beat by BAR!!!

Starter

You've got that right. BAR might not even be around in 05.

pimpscls

sweet

astro

Chief, Montreal Tix went on sale last night.

the race is on

Chief F1 Fan

Or is this a way for the organizer to raise the $$$$$$$$$ to appease the tobacco teams early?? Either way, I'm getting tix. Where you sitting Astro? I'm kinda thinkin' Stand 11 to watch them coming straight on and around the turn. This is great news, just gotta get my hotel reservations.

astro

yup, we're gonna get #11, want in on our order?

astro

oh ya, i got my hotel room for $100 a night at crescent and st catherine a month ago

Chief F1 Fan

I have to talk to the Boss's boss if y'know what I mean to make sure she still wants to go. I'll let you know.

Chief F1 Fan

This comment from Kimi cracks me up:

ICEMAN GIVES JPM COOL RECEPTION
Last Updated: Wednesday, 19 November , 2003, 11:27

Kimi Raikkonen is unfazed by the arrival of Juan Pablo Montoya at McLaren.

The Colombian will link up with Raikkonen in 2005, forming the most exciting F1 driver pairing in years.

But Raikkonen is already doing his best to dampen down the euphoria that has greeted Montoya’s arrival.

He told the Gazzetta dello Sport: “Montoya may be my team-mate but who is to say in 2005 I will still be at McLaren?

“His hiring does not change my attitude in relation to him – I will continue to race with the objective of beating him, just like I do now with David Coulthard.”

McLaren will start work on their 2004 challenger, the MP4-19, later this month. Raikkonen is pleased to get his hands on the new car so far in advance of the new season.

He said: “It is very comforting to have a new car so far ahead of the start of the season, not least because we will be able to sort out its teething problems without any worries.”

astro

too bad the mp4-19 is the mp4-17e! LOL

Chief F1 Fan

shhhhhhhh, don't tell anyone!

Red Rider

Maybe Kimi will go to Williams !

astro

dream on red rider!

Red Rider

Astro, i really don't care where he goes. He mentioned to the press that he might not even be Montoyas teammate, that would lead you to believe he's looking and what better way than to take the seat at Williams.

Starter

You've forgotten that there is a good possibility of an open seat at Ferrari in 05 or 06.

Chief F1 Fan

Michael leaves and the team goes kaput--Brawn leaves as well as Todt who surely will have another championship to fly for the tifosi.

Chief F1 Fan

Like Astro said, JPM wants out of his contract w/ McLaren!

Montoya wants to cancel McLaren contract
Silly-season moves up a gear





Will Montoya move to McLaren in 2005?

Juan Pablo Montoya doesn't want to go to McLaren.

An unnamed F1 owner told The Telegraph on Saturday that BMW- Williams' driver is trying to cancel a contract to drive a silver car from 2005.

McLaren is struggling to hang-on to even the mid-field this season.

According to the British newspaper, 28-year-old Montoya's management are 'sounding out other teams' as the new silly-season shifts into first gear.


Shit, I wouldn't wanna go to McLaren either-kinda surprised it took him this long to convey his feelings! McLaren has NEVER been this bad, even in the FoMoCo powerplant days when they made their chassis bigger for Mansell and they still sucked! Today they said McLaren has 900 people that work for it at its stunning new technical center. That's a lotta peeps!

Starter

OK, Lets say he gets out of the contract, where does he go? Sounds like Williams has already made other plans. Plus why keep a driver who wanted out so bad he signed with another team over a year before his contract was up.

Ferrari? - Not as long as MS is there.
Renault? - They look pretty happy with Trulli and especially Alonso.
BAR? - Um, no. Button is there for sure and based on practice day, Davidson will back up Sato if he goes.
Not much left except for, uh oh, McLaren.

Chief F1 Fan

Yeah Starter, not much left is there? I'd bet Renault wld take him, ditto BAR. I can't imagine Flav is none too impressed w/ Alonso's stupidity in the Monaco GP tho gotta remember, Flav is Trulli and Alonso's manager so they probably will be at Renault again next year like you said. Toyota and Jag will be looking! Bwahaaaahaaa

Starter

Maybe the understatement of the early part of the season!!

Red Rider

I don't believe this rumor, he'd look like a complete Moron. McLaren is too good to be down for long IMHO.

Chief F1 Fan

So, my brother calls me up and sez he's got me all lined up to sit in the Mobil1 suite for the Indy race. He then sez, "and make sure you don't root for Ferrari." :sqnteek: Like that's a problem I think to myself, I'll be pulling for Jensen!! I can't wait to go to the race again tho I will sure miss Montreal next weekend. Have fun Astro/Soop and whoever else will be there!

astro

I'm missing MTL, have a great time at Indy tho Chief!

Chief F1 Fan

No MTL Robb?? WTF, I thought that was the annual pilgrimage? C'mon, out w/ it, you're just pissed b/c Kimi's nowhere near where he shld be right? Thanks tho, I'll be sure to enjoy (as you all know I will!)

Chief F1 Fan

Unbelievable, Alonso has signed for McLaren 2007 & beyond. It surely is w/ Flav's knowledge as he is the Boy Wonder's agent. Start looking for a ride JPM!

Kighter

Maybe not

Lends weight to the rumors of Kimi to Ferrari in '07 doesn't it?

Now if Michael decides to retire it's easy - if he doesn't it'll be SUPER interesting. Two Mega-teams with insane driver combos...

F-C

Didn't see this one coming. Alonso's days are numbered, what a big mistake.

330R

I think Renault's days as a constructor are numbered..

dom

Why do you say that? McLaren looked more promising than Renault or anyone else for that matter at season's end.

FastAcura

2007 - Alonso to McLaren, Kimi to Ferrari and Michael to Red Bull. That should be interesting.

gavriil

wow!

gavriil

McLaren also got Vodafone as their main sponsor. That's the other successful "signing" of equal importance in my opinion.

F-C

I'm not talking about the car.

I rate JPM>>>Alonso

Chief F1 Fan

I like JPM but how is he better than Fernando? He is really getting to be a lost cause in my opinion and getting beyond his "sell by" date. He's gotta get cracking this next season or he's toastie cakes.

dom

I don't think there's any evidence to support that he is. Maybe quicker at times but certainly not over a race distance.

fsttyms1

WoW.

Things are really starting to get shook up

NOVAwhiteTypeS

JPM didn't have such a steady pace, althought @ some races he did turn some fast laps but alonso had consistency.

07 should be pretty interesting... and w/ change of tires back this is gonna be fun