31/01/2006
NEWS STORY
Clearly feeling that the writing could be on the wall, as far as his future with McLaren is concerned, Juan Pablo Montoya has revealed that he is already talking to rival teams about his future, and that if the right offer comes along he will accept it.
The recent shock announcement that McLaren has secured the services of Fernando Alonso for 2007 has set the annual game of driver 'musical chairs' in motion a year early. One of the main points of interest being the future of the two current McLaren drivers Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen.
Although it was widely presumed that the Finn was the favoured son at Woking, the Alonso move has confused the issue, with many now claiming that the two-time runner-up is heading to Maranello. But what of Montoya, who, despite three wins last season, also made a number of crucial mistakes, all spotted by team boss Ron Dennis, a man not known for his sentimentality.
Speaking to German magazine, Auto, Motor und Sport, Montoya, who is said to be angry at not being offered a contract extension by McLaren, admitted that he is already considering offers.
"I am talking with other constructors," he said. "If Ferrari, Renault or BMW make me a good offer, I will take it."
In 2003, whilst still driving for WilliamsF1 and contracted for 2004, Montoya signed a late mid-season deal which saw him move to McLaren over a year later - previously such premature contracts were a rarity. Now, Alonso and McLaren have essentially repeated the process, the Spaniard spending a further season with Renault before moving to his new home.