Skip to main content

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Autosport Plus

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Recommended for you

Bottas' mental health column is brutal, but also shows how F1 is changing

Feature
Formula 1
Miami GP
Bottas' mental health column is brutal, but also shows how F1 is changing

What does the future behold for M-Sport and partner Ford in the WRC?

WRC
Rally Islas Canarias
What does the future behold for M-Sport and partner Ford in the WRC?

Aprilia opens new development path in MotoGP at Jerez test

MotoGP
Jerez Official Testing
Aprilia opens new development path in MotoGP at Jerez test

Formula E to keep the 'biggest asset' of its races for Gen4

Formula E
Berlin ePrix I
Formula E to keep the 'biggest asset' of its races for Gen4

The "breath of fresh air" in Hyundai's fight against Toyota in WRC

WRC
Rally Islas Canarias
The "breath of fresh air" in Hyundai's fight against Toyota in WRC

The steps Honda took post-Japan to overcome Aston Martin's poor 2026

Formula 1
Miami GP
The steps Honda took post-Japan to overcome Aston Martin's poor 2026

The grand prix that never was – but did happen

Feature
Formula 1
Spanish GP
The grand prix that never was – but did happen

On this day: Hakkinen’s last-lap heartbreak

Formula 1
On this day: Hakkinen’s last-lap heartbreak

Montoya not despondent

Juan Pablo Montoya was still his usual ebulient self despite the 1.5s gap between Ferrari and Williams at the end of the opening day's practice in Melbourne.

Montoya finished fourth quickest overall, behind team mate Ralf Schumacher and Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher.

"It's all right," he said, "We don't know what's going on at Ferrari and I'm surprised because they are really quick, but we'll have to see what happens."

Montoya feels more confident about a strong showing on his second visit to the Australian circuit and was just 0.05s behind team mate Schumacher.

"It's a lot easier this time around. When I got out on the track I knew where to brake, which kerbs to use and which not to use. So far, so good.

"As far as the car is concerned, I was probably misquoted because I never said that this year's car is not better than last year's. I think it is. It needs work, but it is definitely a step forward."

Asked what had been learned after the opening day of the season, however, team boss Frank Williams said: "There is always room to learn and what we did learn again, unfortunately, was that Ferrari are in a class of their own."

Previous article Stewart: Share F1 wealth
Next article Ferrari in a Class of Their Own, Says Williams

Top Comments