Montoya: I was Not the Best Rookie

Despite making his Formula One debut this season with the Williams team, Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya has revealed that he did not consider himself a rookie driver.

"I don't think I was the best rookie in Formula One," Montoya told Caracol radio in Bogota. "After 15 years of racing, a CART title, and having won the Indy 500 and the F3000 championship, I can't consider myself a rookie. I'm a very experienced driver."

Montoya drove an impressive first season in Grand Prix racing, scoring three pole positions before clinching his first victory to finish in sixth place in the drivers' standings and many believe the 26-year old will be among the favourites to win the title in 2002.

"I don't know where I'll be next year," he added. "First we have to see how competitive the car is. In January we will have a new engine, a new gearbox, a different chassis, and we'll see how it all works."

The Colombian, who was able to outshine his Williams teammate Ralf Schumacher in the final races of the season, also claimed that none of them will get a preferential treatment at the Grove-based team, despite the German calling for team orders to be introduced next year.

"There is no number one or number two driver at Williams," Montoya said. "At the team it doesn't matter who wins or loses. We always get the same kind of support."