Last-Minute Tweaks Pay Off for Montoya

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya claimed some last-minute changes to the set-up of his Williams helped him finish in third place at today's Belgian Grand Prix.

Montoya had started fifth on the grid, his worst qualifying performance of the year since the season opening Australian Grand Prix, but thanks to some tweaks before the start, the Williams driver was able to raise his game during the race and finished behind the two Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello.

Montoya could keep McLaren rival David Coulthard behind during the final laps of the event, scoring his seventh podium finish of the season.

"We did some changes on the grid and they were possibly the best changes we did all weekend," Montoya, who is now alone in third place in the drivers' standings, said. "It's the first time this year that they (McLaren) are quicker than us in qualifying and we are stronger in the race.

"It was a pretty hard race, I think especially at the beginning. We pitted at the same time and when we pitted, I think he put in a lot more fuel to go longer, because afterwards, I never saw him again and it was just a fight with David to the end. I think it was very important that the out lap was quick and that I stayed ahead."

Ralf Schumacher, who had outqualified Williams teammate Montoya yesterday, endured a troubled race, first making a spin that cost him valuable time, and later being delayed during his second pitstop when he made a mistake and pushed the wrong buttons on his steering wheel while running down the pitlane. The German went on to finish in fifth place.