Sir Frank: I'm very impressed with Juan

The Colombian secured pole position in the dying minutes of session to out pace team mate Ralf Schumacher and rival Michael Schumacher, who finished second and third fastest.

His Williams team boss, however, said he had every confidence in Montoya to come up with the goods with the Formula 1 rookie now having scored two podiums in just three races.

This was also despite odds stacks against the British team performing well at Spa because, in the past, the cool temperature and the wet weather conditions have not suited its Michelins tyres.

"Juan's performance today was absolutely great," said Williams, whose team is aiming to close in on McLaren for second place in the constructors' championship. "I am very impressed with him because he made the most of his tyres in the conditions and handled the car excellently.

"I have never doubted he would be able to get pole positions and win races in the future and he is now proving that with his performance here and in Hockenheim."

Montoya also convincingly outclassed his team mate by going 0.887 seconds faster Schumacher junior, though Williams claims the difference was down to the tyres.

"I think the gap between Juan and Ralf was because Ralf had not warmed up as much as Juan had," he continued. "Juan also had a bit more experience with his dry tyres from this morning so he had the advantage."