Montoya ups the psychological ante

Speaking in The Sunday Times newspaper, the 25-year-old Colombian said: "Kicking ass is the term, especially with your team mate. Being realistic the first person you have to beat is your team mate. I've heard from people that he has been raising his game lately. He's never pushed in testing before, people haven't seen him being pushed. It's good for the team so long as we keep it under our belts and don't go out there and do something stupid."

Montoya also spoke candidly of his relationship - or lack of it - with the younger Schumacher.

"Let's be realistic and honest," he said. "As far as conversation has gone with Ralf, we've said hello. I don't have any problems with him, I have nothing against him, but I have nothing with him either. So long as we both give the right information, the team can work together."

With the team entering its second year with BMW and the German engine-maker promising a V10 that takes the game on from last year's conservative approach, Williams is being tipped to close the gap to the McLaren/Ferrari axis at the top of F1. But Montoya is playing down his chances of a dream result in his first GP.

"I'm not one for making predictions," he said, "but all I can say is that I will give it everything in an effort to get the best result for the team and myself. We must also respect the fact that 2001 marks BMW's second season with WilliamsF1, so people must not get too carried away with hopes and expectations.

"But this team is currently on the crest of a wave and while we may not be contesting for the championship this season, we will certainly be aiming to take some spoils away from Ferrari and McLaren - that's the plan anyway."

Montoya has never seen the Melbourne track before, but says he is at ease with the prospect of starting his F1 career with such a big unknown.

"I'm quite calm about it, because it still seems a long way off," he told The Sunday Times. "But I know what I need to do and what the team needs to do. I've looked at the data - the speeds, throttle, braking, gears - so I have a good idea of what I will be doing. But what's the point about thinking too hard about it? Every time you try to plan things like that, the car does exactly the opposite."