'Mature' Monty adopts strategic approach

The Colombian admitted at Monza that it is vital to score points and said that his approach would be dictated by who he is racing against.

"If I'm racing against DC (Coulthard) it wouldn't be the same thing as if I am racing against Kimi (Raikkonen)," he said. " Why? Because considering the championship, DC doesn't care and Kimi does."

Looking ahead to today's race, he added: "Put it this way, if Rubens is leading and I am running P2 and Michael is P3 and Kimi is P4, then I wouldn't be going for it. But If Michael is P1 and I am P2 and I've got the chance to go for it, I will."

While BMW Motorsport director Gerhard Berger thinks that Montoya is under as much pressure now as he ever will be, the Colombian says he is determined just to take the last three races as they come.

"I'm probably more mature now, probably more relaxed now and very conscious that I have done a much better job than I have done before," he said. "When I drive the car I do a lot better job, when I test the car I do a lot better job, the information I give to the team is a lot better and the results are a lot better. Of course I want to win the championship, but if I don't then they will still know that I have done a bloody good job this year.

"I think last year I was very quick in qualifying and in the race we kind of struggled with set-ups. The tyres, at that time, were not up to the Bridgestones. This year they are and I think I am better prepared."