Montoya Pleased Despite Missing Out on Front Row

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya was pleased after qualifying in third place for Sunday's season opening Australian Grand Prix.

After struggling for pace in yesterday's practice, Williams driver Montoya finished today's second qualifying session just behind the two Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, albeit nearly a whole second behind the German five-time World Champion.

"I think it went pretty well, the car was working good," said Montoya, who scored seven pole positions last season. "It was a decent and reliable car and when I went to push it behaved pretty well.

"I lost a bit of time in turn one because I went off twice there earlier and you don't want to put the car on the grass in qualifying. But apart from that I seem to have put a reasonably good lap together.

"I'm sure some days you are going to blow it and end up 15th on the grid. It happened to Kimi (Raikkonen) today and it could happen to anybody."

Ralf Schumacher finished down in ninth position with the second Williams after making an error in the first sector on his flying lap. The German driver, however, is expecting to be able to move forward in tomorrow's race.

"I made a mistake in the first sector which cost me a few tenths of a second," the German admitted. "Today I have had to pay the price for my performance on Friday as this caused my early starting time when the track was not in its best condition.

"I am not too worried about the two Sauber cars in front of me, I think they can be sorted out in the race."