Montoya Optimistic Despite Low Placing

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya says his Williams team are looking competitive despite finishing close to the bottom of the times in today's first qualifying for the French Grand Prix.

"Considering the circumstances, I am pretty pleased with my qualifying lap today," admitted Montoya after setting the 15th fastest time in a wet Magny-Cours circuit. "My car was good and it worked fairly well.

"We have to wait and see what is going on with the weather but I think we are looking pretty competitive and consistent. After all what really matters is where everyone qualifies tomorrow, not so much today."

European Grand Prix winner Ralf Schumacher wound up 18th fastest with the second Williams after having to complete his flying lap when the French circuit was at its wettest.

"We had no luck with the weather, but one has to take things as they come and always try to get the best out of a difficult situation," said Schumacher. "My car had slight understeer but in the first two sectors my time was better than Kimi Raikkonen's, who had gone out just before me on the same Michelin wet tyres.

"However, in the third sector, I had traction problems which cost me quite a lot of time. Now I am concentrating on the decisive final qualifying tomorrow."