Montoya Under No Pressure to Perform

New Williams driver Juan Montoya has confessed he is not feeling any extra pressure despite all the hype surrounding him since he decided to enter Formula One at the end of last season.

Montoya, who won the American CART series in his debut season in 1999, joined Williams after a lot of speculation, replacing Jenson Button for next year.

After a brilliant rookie season, Button impressed the Formula One paddock and many people considered letting him go was an error from Williams, something that put extra pressure to perform on Montoya.

However, the Colombian says the only pressure will come from himself.

"I really can't understand what all the fuss is about," Montoya admitted. "All I've done is testing. The real thing starts in March. That's when I have to show what I can do.

"I don't feel under any pressure to perform. It was the same going to Champ Cars and replacing Zanardi. Any pressure will come from me and not from anyone else."

At the same time, though, Montoya is under no illusions for 2001, and he wants to learn as much as possible in his debut year.

"This season will be a learning year for me. Of course, you want to win races all the time but I can’t expect to go out in the first race and win. I will just do the best I can.

"If the best if fifth, then you have to accept that."