No Fall Out with Williams, Says Montoya
Juan Pablo Montoya has insisted he will be fully focused on winning the World Championship with Williams next year, despite agreeing to join rivals McLaren in 2005.
Juan Pablo Montoya has insisted he will be fully focused on winning the World Championship with Williams next year, despite agreeing to join rivals McLaren in 2005.
Colombian Montoya announced on Monday that he will leave Williams when his contract expires and link up with fellow title-chasers McLaren. But the 28-year-old, who finished third in the World Championship this year, will be gunning for the title next season and insisted he has no problems with the Williams team.
"The decision to change teams wasn't dictated by a falling out with Williams," Montoya told journalist Diego Mejia, of RCN Radio, in an exclusive interview. "As soon as I had signed with McLaren I went and told Frank. I am happy here at Williams and for this reason I will honour to the letter my contract, driving one more year with them.
"An offer was made to me, I spoke to Ron Dennis and the Mercedes directors and then I made my decision. The decision to make the deal public was taken by Ron Dennis and I don't believe it will do me any damage. Williams had been warned well ahead of time of my decision.
"I will continue to work as I always have with the objective of winning the world championship and I am sure that this season McLaren will be a very tough opponent."
Montoya's offer is reported to be worth $9.5 million US per season but the former CART champion claimed his decision to move was motivated by the possibilities of Championship glory rather than money.
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