Montoya Struggling with Neck Pain

Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya said he struggled to complete today's French Grand Prix after suffering from an intense pain in his neck.

Colombian Montoya, disqualified in the previous two races, took a point for a deeply disappointing Williams team who celebrated a one-two finish in France last year but were without injured Ralf Schumacher.

Montoya lost three places on the 18th lap when he spun in front of the grandstand coming out of the final corner before the pit straight.

The Williams driver had suffered a heavy accident in Friday's practice, and despite some physio sessions his neck suffered heavily during the race.

"It has been a very difficult race for me, especially because of an intense pain in my neck, which nearly prevented me from being able to keep my head up," said Montoya. "I hurt my neck on Friday, when I crashed, but I didn't expect the pain to become so sharp in the race.

"With regards to the race, I maintained my grid position at the start but after 20 laps or so hit a kerb too hard and spun, losing three places. After that I tried to close the gap with Kimi Raikkonen in front, but I wasn't able to get close enough to pass him because I just wasn't quick enough.

"Also the balance of my car wasn't ideal, especially in the first part of the race, which caused me to make a few mistakes. I really hoped I could get much more than one single point today."

Spaniard Marc Gene, standing in for Ralf, was 10th in a disappointing race for the Spaniard.

"Tenth place is not what I had hoped for," he said. "I had a problem with the clutch on the grid but since I didn't want to jump the start I released it very slowly and lost three positions. This is when I lost 50% of my chances to get good finish.

"Then Mark Webber and I touched on turn 3 and I nearly spun. Two of my sets of tyres were very good and allowed me to catch up with the drivers in front, like Mark Webber or Juan Pablo, but even though I tried my best, those in front were too fast. Both my car and I just needed more speed, today."