Montoya: Driver aids won’t change pecking order

Speaking at Autosport International 2001, the Colombian said he thinks the package of revisions which includes the return of traction control - expected to come into force in time for the Spanish GP in May - will have little effect on the pecking order.

"It's the same with anything," he said. "Even with traction control, if you develop a better system than everyone else then you'll have an advantage. McLaren and Ferrari seem to take a step up every year, but BMW will be in its second season and we have a lot of new things coming as well. I drove with the new engine a few days ago and it's a step forward."

Montoya doesn't think the fact Williams is switching to F1 returnee Michelin's rubber will have as much of a detrimental effect as many paddock insiders are expecting.

"Michelin doesn't want to come into F1 and simply match Bridgestone - they want to come in, go past them and try to blow them away," he said. "And if that happens, and we're the top Michelin team, that would be really good for us. Every time we test, the tyres are much better."

He also thinks the lessons he learned during his two years in the FedEx Champ Car series will stand him in good stead on his return to Europe.

"The years I spent in America were good for me," he said. "I learned things there that I never would have if I'd stayed in Europe. It really helped me to make my mind stronger and gave me more mental focus. I've come to realise that you have to work with the car. If the car is not capable of doing the job, then I can't."

Montoya believes Williams and BMW will be in good shape by the time the Australian GP comes around on March 4.

"We've got through a lot of work in testing, and it's all gone very well," he added. "I know we need to keep improving the car and I have to keep improving myself. At the moment, we don't know exactly where we stand against Ferrari and McLaren, so it's hard to say how fast we'll be. It's all very exciting."