Montoya Predicts Eventful First Corner

Juan Pablo Montoya expects the start of Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix to be eventful, following discussions in a drivers' briefing on Saturday afternoon.

The cars have, this weekend, been running over a green 'rumble strip' on the outside of the first corner to maximise their speed onto the following long straight. Briton Jenson Button revealed to journalists on Saturday afternoon that Formula One technical delegate Charlie Whiting will allow use of that part of the circuit for the race, and Montoya believes it could all end in tears.

When asked this morning if he thought the use of the green kerb was dangerous, Montoya replied: "It is going to be interesting because a few cars are going to go off onto the green bit. It's a lot wider, you can carry a lot more speed through the corner, but the green bit doesn't go down the straight, it finishes about ten metres later.

"So all those cars are going to have to go back into the racetrack somehow... I think the first few corners are going to be quite exciting, I have to say!"

In Saturday's Formula 3000 race, however, all cars made it through the first corner unscathed, despite several running wide onto the green area on the outside.

German Ralf Schumacher claimed in the press conference on Saturday that the 'extra track' had more grip than the racetrack itself, and that could play into the Williams driver's hands, because he is starting from second, on the outside.

But when asked if he could be first into the first corner, Schumacher said: "I don't think so. There might be a chance - maybe Rubens will wait for me! Let's wait and see."