Montoya upbeat after first MP4-21 outing

The Colombian got his first taste of the new car at Barcelona in Spain today and, after edging out the interim MP4-20 driven by Gary Paffett during the morning session, he is cautiously optimistic about the team's new challenger.

"It is good," he said. "So far so good. It feels very similar to last year's car but a little bit better, which is a good sign.

"I have driven the V8 before, because I did December testing with the V8, so it wasn't such a big shock on the power front.

"I have been working a lot in the simulator in the last few weeks, so it is just a question of getting in, doing this and that, and working on it. I am trying new things and trying to understand exactly what the new car does."

When asked by autosport.com whether he had any worries about the engine, following the reliability problems of last year, Montoya said: "I think we have got a long way to go, but I think we are going in the right direction."

Montoya is determined to make sure that the new car suits his driving style from the start of the season, having spent the beginning of last year fine-tuning the MP4-20 to his personal preferences.

And although he says he is trying to dial out some understeer, he is upbeat about how well he will be able to go with the car.

"If you look at the end of last year we were really quick everything," he added. "You know we have a bit of understeer in the car, which would be nice to get rid of, but there are things and new tools to work with to try and improve that.

"But I think generally speaking it is good and it seems to be quite consistent."

After being on the receiving end of some positive comments from McLaren's F1 CEO Martin Whitmarsh about his high level of motivation for the year ahead, Montoya admitted that he was doing everything he could on the track and away from it to help his chances.

"I understand the car better now and understand how McLaren works," he said. "I also understand the simulator and have done a lot of work on it.

"I have been doing a lot of work for what is needed for my driving style and how to balance it and stuff like that. I think I have done a lot of development. I haven't been at the track but I've been every week in McLaren."