Montagny puts dreams on hold
Renault reserve driver Franck Montagny has been told that his race ambitions must be put on the back burner for at least another season after team boss Flavio Briatore ruled out loaning him to a rival team
Montagny has been a Renault test driver for two years and also worked as the official developement driver for the Renault-backed GP2 Series, but the Frenchman has recently experessed his desire to return to racing.
Montagny had been linked with drives at both the Minardi and Jordan outfits, with a view to him gaining valuable race experience ahead of a possible future deal with Renault. But Briatore made it clear at the launch of the team's R25, that it was in Montagny's best interests that he continue testing for another season.
"With us he will do an important job especially on the side of testing tyres and engines to go the extra," he said. "I know Franck would rather drive on a Sunday, than have to go somewhere like Valencia, and we are seeing what we can do. But he deserves to drive for a competitive team because to drive for an uncompetitive would be no good for him or us.
"If there is a competitive seat available then we will help, but his input this year in testing is vital. He will stay with us."
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
Five things we learned from MotoGP’s cancelled Australian GP
The two recurring issues that hampered Verstappen and Red Bull again at the US GP
Alonso criticises quality of F1 backmarkers after Albon clash at United States GP
Russell scrambling for answers after "not being quick enough" at US GP
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