Montoya is Title Favourite, Says Lauda

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya is favourite to win the closest Formula One title shoot-out in years, according to Niki Lauda.

"I think Montoya, because the Williams is the best car," former champion Lauda said after Montoya cut Michael Schumacher's overall lead to one point in Hungary at the weekend.

"He is the quickest. If Montoya gets his act together, does not do any mistakes, then I think he is the favourite."

With three races remaining, Montoya has the momentum to prevent Michael Schumacher from winning a record sixth title but McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen is just one point further back.

Schumacher is determined to fight to the finish as Ferrari's dominance trickles away. There is everything to play for in a season that sees seven drivers still mathematically in contention, although it would take a miracle for David Coulthard, Rubens Barrichello or Fernando Alonso to win.

If Montoya emerges triumphant, he will be the first South American champion since the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna for McLaren in 1991. The next three races will provide more twists and much will depend on what happens when testing resumes next week after an August ban.

So far there have been eight different winners from five teams in 13 races, but the last three should be down to Ferrari, Williams and McLaren. Renault, winners with Alonso in Hungary, can hope for a podium in Japan.

Testing Resumes

Monza, Ferrari's home race, is next up on September 14 and Schumacher can expect his team and tyre suppliers Bridgestone to be working overtime to put him back in the driving seat after he trailed home eighth in Hungary.

Schumacher can at least be assured of his teammate Barrichello's assistance, something Montoya can not count on with Ralf Schumacher still an outside chance for the title in fourth place.

The two Williams drivers were racing each other at Hungary, with Montoya third and Ralf fourth after blazing through the field from 18th place following a spin, and that situation can be expected to continue at Monza.

"This is a typical decision by Frank, who is a sporting team principal and not a political one," said Lauda. "I admire him for this. He doesn't care, he is a racer. So he lets them do what they want. It's good for us."

Ferrari romped to a one-two finish at Monza last year, although Montoya has been on pole there for the last two seasons at a circuit ideally suited to the Williams' BMW engines, and Schumacher has won the last three at Suzuka.

McLaren will test new aerodynamics parts and an engine development for Monza also but are looking more at Indianapolis in the United States on September 28.

"I think Indianapolis should be pretty good for us," said Raikkonen at the weekend. "Monza last year was quite difficult but...we should get some new parts for the car, a new engine also and hopefully we can be stronger there."

Lauda doubted whether there would be a circuit where Williams, now leading Ferrari by eight points in the constructors' standings, would not be favourites.

"At Monza they will be at least as good as the Ferrari, even better maybe, Indy is the same thing and Suzuka any way," he said.

"I would see the Williams well in front, the Renault will lose out in Monza and Indy, and the McLaren I think is not as good because they concentrate on the new car and the old car is sitting still."