Grapevine: Montoya Manager Refutes McLaren Rumours

Rumours that Juan Pablo Montoya will switch from Williams to McLaren next year have been further dismissed by the Colombian's manager, Julian Jakobi, after the Williams team also denied the rumours earlier today.

Montoya, who joined Williams in 2001, is currently leading the Williams-BMW charge and is third in the Drivers' World Championship behind leader Michael Schumacher, of Ferrari, and second-placed Kimi Raikkonen, of McLaren.

But rumours that he has been lined up to replace the struggling David Coulthard at McLaren for 2004 have rapidly strengthened over the past few days and one insider has claimed McLaren have already made a bid for Montoya's services.

Jakobi refused to comment on the rumoured offer but said: "There is a lot of rumours but all I will say is that Juan Pablo has a contract with Williams that runs to the end of 2004 and it is far too early to talk about 2005."

He insisted he is not "a spinner" of stories and, when asked if Montoya would definitely honour that contract with Williams and remain with the team for next year, he replied: "Yes."

The speculation has developed after reports claimed that Montoya felt he lost out to teammate Ralf Schumacher through the strategy of his Williams team at the French Grand Prix.

There have also been suggestions that Montoya is upset because teammate Schumacher earns more than him despite the fact that the Colombian out-scored the German in last year's Championship and also is ahead of him in this year's table.

Some media speculations suggested that Schumacher is paid $15 million (USD) and Montoya just $6 million (USD), while others have suggested they are level on $12 million (USD) each.

Last year, after signing the new contract, Montoya indicated his new deal is similar to Schumacher's, however it seems that due to his existing contract he would only be earning as much as Schumacher by 2004. Asked about the drivers' current salary, a Williams insider said: "We do not reveal such information but one has considerable experience in Formula One and the other does not."