Montoya: McLaren Move Not Motivated by Money

Juan Pablo Montoya says a desire for change, rather than more money in his bank account, was the driving force behind his decision to leave Williams for McLaren in 2005.

The impending move was an inevitable talking point at the launch of Williams' new FW26 challenger in Valencia on Monday, with Montoya and the Formula One team stressing their 100 percent commitment to each other before they part.

"I want to be World Champion before I leave Williams," declared Montoya.

With speculation running wild about how many millions he was likely to earn at the Mercedes-powered team in 2005, the Colombian said he was not a mercenary.

"I'm going to another top team that I can win races with as well," he said. "I think for the money, I could probably get more money here.

"Why (move)? Because I wanted to experience something new...It's like anything. You set yourself some goals and I did," he added. "Everyone thinks I am going to get 20 million (dollars) to be at McLaren and you'd be surprised at what I'm getting."

Montoya said his decision was influenced by several other factors.

They included resentment at Williams paying German teammate Ralf Schumacher more than him as well as an altercation with the team at the French Grand Prix in July, won by Ralf after the German was given precedence at a pitstop.

"I've never been happy that he's earning more than me but that's not the reason I'm leaving. I'm making enough money to live on, actually. I'm not too concerned about that," he said.

Early Move

"It's not just one thing, not like 'I'm pissed off and I'm leaving now'," said Montoya, who also denied that he had wanted to join McLaren for this season.

Team boss Frank Williams said earlier that Dennis had hinted at such a move in a private conversation last season but McLaren never made a formal approach.

"I actually didn't want to go in 2004 because I think Williams is in a better position to win than McLaren," said Montoya.

The Colombian dismissed any suggestion that his being contracted to another team would affect his performances.

"It doesn't change anything. I did quite a few races with Frank and myself knowing about it and it didn't change anything. It doesn't change how I'm driving," he said.

"I'm driving to win. I want to win races and that's what really matters to me...It doesn't really change if I have a white suit or a silver suit or a red suit."

The 2004 Formula One season starts with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 7.