Montoya Aims to Erase Last Year's Memories

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya is looking forward to winning Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix to vanish the memory of last year's retirement while he was leading the race.

The Williams driver, in only his third Formula One Grand Prix, led last year's race at the Interlagos circuit until Dutchman Jos Verstappen crashed into the back of his car, denying the flamboyant Colombian of what looked set to be his first victory.

After claiming his first pole position of the season in today's qualifying, Montoya is hoping to finish on top of the podium on Sunday to put the memory of last year's disappointment behind.

"I am happy to be on pole, especially because this morning I couldn't get a clean run on new tyres and I had some understeer and I knew there was more potential in my car than my times showed," said the Colombian, who is second in the Championship, two points behind Michael Schumacher.

"Starting the race from pole will maybe allow me to make up for my disappointing finish in last year's Grand Prix. We are also pleased with Michelin's performance and the hot weather is helping us here."

German Ralf Schumacher had to settle for third place behind his teammate Montoya and his brother Michael, but was "relatively happy" with his position.

"That's life isn't it," said Ralf. "The two of us have done a good job and I think we are both in a good position to make at least one person's life difficult."