Montoya Happy with Front Row Slot

The Colombian got it a bit wrong at Turn One and, realising he had already lost time, he chose not to take any risks around the rest of the lap.

He eventually grabbed second spot on the grid, just ahead of Toyota's Jarno Trulli.

"Well, I went into the first corner and had a bit of a moment there so I decided to just do a clean lap," said the McLaren driver. "I had a time difference to what I was doing before and I knew that it wasn't a problem.

"I just paced myself and got a good lap in. Once I passed the first corner I knew I wasn't going to beat Michael and then it was more get to the end, get to the front and we did.

"I think we are in a good position. I think from the long runs we have seen we should be stronger than Ferrari so it should be good."

Starting on the dirty side of the track has often been a big disadvantage at the Hungaroring, but Montoya is refusing to get defeatist about the situation.

"Our starts are pretty good so if we get off the line good, if we don't we don't," he said. "I would rather be second than third, obviously, but it is nice to be at the front."