Blundell: 'I'd choose Montoya'

Reigning CART FedEx Series champion Montoya is set to replace Button for 2001, as exclusively reported in Autosport magazine (June 8th), and Blundell, who is a former Williams F1 test driver, says that based on form and credentials, that is the only decision team boss Frank Williams can realistically make.

"I think Montoya's exceptionally good," said Blundell, "and if I was Frank Williams and I had the choice of retaining Button or taking Montoya, then my choice would be Montoya - no question.

"If you look at Montoya's credentials, they far outweigh Button's, and if you look at his performances, he's had some exceptional performances and his future looks very strong."

But Blundell was also quick to praise the job Button has done for Williams so far: "They've chucked him in at the deep end and he's been exceptional," he said. "He's had an opportunity and he's made the best of it so far. He still has half a season to make even more of it, but the problem for him is that the pressure's on and he has to keep delivering - it's not easy and I don't relish that prospect for him."

Speculation at the French Grand Prix was that Frank Williams and Montoya's current team boss Chip Ganassi have now finalised arrangements to release the Colombian from his Ganassi Racing contract at the end of the season. However, both parties are remaining tight-lipped, while Button's management say they have yet to hear anything regarding 2001.

Potential drives for Button next season include Arrows and Prost, with Jaguar a possibility should hot favourite Dario Franchitti move out of the frame.