Williams Fail to Materialise Qualifying Promise

Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya claimed his Williams still have still a lot of work to do in order to be able to match the dominant Ferrari squad during a race.

Montoya, starting on pole position for the seventh time this season after recording the fastest qualifying lap in Formula One history on Saturday, lasted only 34 laps before he retire with a front suspension problem while running in third position far from the Ferraris.

The Colombian led for less than a lap and could do nothing to stop the Rubens Barrichello and Michael Schumacher sweeping past as the crowd stood and roared their delight.

"I didn't have a good start at all as the engine nearly stalled and Ralf went past me under braking and he just went straight," said Montoya. "It's a shame that I had a problem with my chassis, which forced me to retire because I still could have finished third, as I was quicker than Kimi.

"Anyway, this is racing and you can't do anything about it. It is clear that at the moment we are still underperforming compared to Ferrari. Over a race distance they are still well ahead of us."

Teammate Ralf Schumacher, who seized the lead controversially at the first corner after missing the chicane, retired on lap five when his engine blew after being ordered to let Montoya through.

"It was a very odd start Juan had some problems to get away so I took advantage at the first chicane," said Schumacher. "The team was called by the FIA to swap places with Juan. Sam told me to do so and I slowed down. Right after that I had an engine failure.

"It's a shame because we usually have reliable engines and my car was going very fast, for the fuel load I had."