Montoya targets 2002 for titles

Although team bosses are playing down their chances - and BMW boss Gerhard Berger says they will need another year - the Colombian believes they will go to the first race in Australia gunning for the title.

But he says they will need a more regularly competitive car and more competitive tyres to go with the BMW engine, which is widely considered to be the class of the field, to give them a realistic chance of winning their first world title since 1997.

"Next year, I think we will be able to go for the world championship," said Montoya, whose team currently sits third in the constructors' championship with 59 points. "There is a chance we have got a shot at it if the car is competitive.

"We have got the best engine and the tyres are getting better. Bridgestone have got a bit of an advantage over us, especially in the rain, but we will figure it out."

Montoya is also confident he will soon be vying for the drivers' crown.

"I am not saying I am going to be world champion next year, but if Williams have a good competitive car and the luck is with me there is a chance I will be soon," said the F1 rookie, whose best finish to date has been second at the Spanish Grand Prix. "This year we have had a good car, but I think the luck has been against me. But that's racing.

"I have had a couple of chances to win races and both of them have been thrown away through no fault of my own. It has been very disappointing, especially in Germany."

Montoya had qualified on pole and was controlling the race when his engine blew, throwing away the chance of victory for the second time this year.