Montoya Fighting the Flab with McLaren

Colombian Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes McLaren are better than Williams when it comes to helping him fight the flab.

McLaren's new signing appeared at a news conference on Tuesday looking fit and in good shape after reports that team boss Ron Dennis had encouraged him to lose weight for the season starting in Australia on March 6.

The stocky 29-year-old has been asked to slim down in the past, notably before his Williams debut in 2001, when team bosses suggested the fast food-loving Latin had been putting away too many burgers and fries.

Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, his closest friend among the drivers, has even jokingly dubbed him 'El Gordo' (The Fatman) in the past.

"It's quite funny because when I came into Formula One there was the thing with Frank (Williams); 'Ah, you're fat, you're overweight'," grinned Montoya. "In the first race when I joined Formula One I weighed 75 kilos with helmet and everything. And everyone says that I look really fit now and I weigh probably 75 kilos without the helmet.

"It's like everybody is saying 'You look a lot fitter'. I am working out and I've always worked out but I'm making sure I don't leave anything behind and they are motivating me to do more and get more out of myself.

"I never had that at Williams. They (McLaren) are giving me the tools to work harder, they are giving me the tools to get more out of myself. Williams always said 'you need to be fitter' but they never did anything about it."

Pumping Iron

Montoya has linked up with David Coulthard's former fitness trainer, now that the Briton has moved to Red Bull Racing, and has been pumping iron and cycling as well as sticking to a low calorie diet.

"I'm with Gerry, who used to be Coulthard's guy, and I'm getting a kick out of him," said Montoya. "He understands what I want, he understands what I hate and he's always there."

The winner of last year's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix for Williams stuck up for his old employers after former teammate Ralf Schumacher said at the weekend Toyota were a better long-term bet for the title.

Williams, with an all-new line-up this year, have won more constructors titles than any team other than Ferrari but have not been champions since 1997. Toyota have yet to finish on the podium in three seasons despite spending vast sums.

"I wouldn't say they (Williams) are in more trouble or they're better off," said Montoya. "I think they were great with me and they are probably going to be competitive. You can't say 'You're coming out of a sinking ship'. The sinking ship won the last race."