Grapevine: Toro Rosso tried to get Montoya
Scuderia Toro Rosso sounded out Juan Pablo Montoya about returning to Formula One with them in the immediate aftermath of his defection to NASCAR, autosport.com has learned
Montoya surprised the F1 world by turning his back on the sport and signing for Chip Ganassi Racing's NASCAR operation in June.
Sources have revealed that Toro Rosso chiefs were prompted to contact Montoya and enquire about whether he was interested in changing his mind and returning to Grand Prix racing with them in 2007.
It is understood that team principal Franz Tost persuaded team owner Gerhard Berger that Montoya was worth pursuing, although in the end the matter was quickly dropped when the Colombian made it clear to Tost that he was fully committed to NASCAR.
One source said: "Yes, he got a call from Toro Rosso, but at the moment he's like a kid in a candy store. Everything over here in NASCAR is centred around him and all they want him to do is drive."
When asked about the story by autosport.com, Tost would not confirm or deny that he had contacted Montoya but said: "As far as I know, he has a contract."
Share Or Save This Story
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Jon Noble: An unfair perception or a genuine concern? Lifting the lid on Red Bull’s Tsunoda scepticism
How Lindblad has shown that he's found his feet in F1
Does Red Bull’s denial that Racing Bulls is helping it on-track stack up?
The changing fortunes of F1's drivers with a point to prove
Bortoleto: F1 hasn't lost its 'magic'; drivers need to "turn the page" on 2026 complaints
Top 10 F1 drivers of the 2010s
Historic single-seaters celebrate a century of power at Brands Hatch
Pirelli's battle with F1 wheel rim development
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments