Montoya Aiming to Keep Runner-Up Spot

Juan Pablo Montoya again failed to turn a pole position into his first win of the season for the sixth time in 2002, leaving France with a disappointing fourth place.

The Williams driver, starting from the top spot for the fifth consecutive time, held onto the lead during the first part of the race, but once he made his first pitstop, Montoya began to drop back and could do nothing to match the pace of the Ferrari of Michael Schumacher and the McLarens of Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard.

Eventually Montoya finished more than 40 seconds behind race winner Schumacher, who clinched his fifth world title. The Williams driver said that his main priority now was to keep his second place in the standings.

"Again I could not take advantage of my pole position," said Montoya. "In the race I have been struggling a lot with the balance of my car, which was very difficult to drive. Our tyre choice was good in yesterday's hotter conditions but didn't pay off today, in cooler conditions. As the race went on, we were losing grip more and more.

"With regards to Michael having won the Championship I think it's great for him. He did the best job in the paddock, has the best car and knows how to use it. Anyway, last year I finished sixth in the Drivers' Championship but I am second at present, so my target now is to secure my position."

Montoya is two points ahead of Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello and his own Williams teammate Ralf Schumacher, who finished in fifth place today.