Delighted Montoya Savours First Win

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya took his first Formula One win in an Italian Grand Prix overshadowed by terrible events elsewhere.

Montoya, in his first Formula One season, had started on pole for the third time this season, but on the first two occasions the Williams driver had been hit by problems.

On Sunday, the Colombian drove perfectly to score his maiden win in only fifteen races in Formula One, and he was delighted with the result.

"The whole team ­ WilliamsF1, BMW and Michelin ­ have done a fantastic job for me and I am so happy with the result," the Colombian said. "It was also exactly a year ago that I had my last win in CART.

"At the beginning of the race I had lots of oversteer everywhere, but the car got better and better and the speed was there when I needed it."

Teammate Ralf Schumacher, who has been unable to match Montoya's pace during most of the weekend, had to settle for third place more than fifteen seconds behind the Colombian.

Schumacher, who is now nine points behind David Coulthard and six behind Rubens Barrichello in the standings, admitted he was not happy with his car's handling.

"I did not find the best set-up for my car the whole weekend," admitted Ralf. "But I would like to thank the team, being first and third here is a very strong effort.

"Because of the bad things that have happened I find it difficult to celebrate so I hope everyone understands the reasons for my reaction to what is going on."