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."
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