Montoya Confident of Strong Race

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya is confident of a strong Brazilian Grand Prix tomorrow despite having to start from ninth position following today's qualifying.

"All in all it has been a pretty good qualifying, even if lost a bit of time in the last two corners due to some understeer," said Montoya. "In the third sector I lost something like three or four tenths from my out lap to my timed lap and this is of course a bit disappointing.

"That's what we've got for tomorrow but I think we are going to have a good race."

Montoya, who led the race in 2001 and started from pole position last season, was outqualified by Williams teammate Ralf Schumacher for the first time this year.

The German driver, who had struggled in the first two races with the new qualifying format, put on a strong performance to post the sixth fastest time. Schumacher said the changes to the FW25 car had worked in their favour.

"I had too much understeer in some sectors of the circuit and I think I lost two or three tenths there," said Schumacher. "I was also a bit too careful braking into turns seven and eight. However, all in all I am quite happy.

"I think we've achieved some further improvements with our new chassis. We have used here a new front wing and a modified rear suspension for the first time."