Williams Hails Montoya's Overtaking Skills

Sir Frank Williams has warned Ferrari World Champion Michael Schumacher to "watch out when Juan's about" after Juan Pablo Montoya lightened up Sunday's European Grand Prix with a daring overtaking move.

Montoya left German Schumacher in a spin when he shot past to claim second place behind teammate Ralf Schumacher at the Nurburgring - and Williams said Colombian Montoya is the only man who can spice up Formula One.

"I thought Juan Pablo's overtaking manoeuvre was the sort that we should see every race, every time," said Williams. "That is the way it should be done - you know: 'watch out when Juan's about'. It's tough to call on Michael and I am not gloating, but few people sadly overtake where Juan Pablo ever dares to overtake.

"Television needs racing, a lot of racing, a lot of overtaking, not 'after you mate'."

Montoya is now 19 points behind World Champion Schumacher in the title race and four points behind his Williams-BMW teammate Ralf Schumacher, who won Sunday's European Grand Prix. The Colombian driver, who has only won two Grands Prix in his career, took victory in Monaco earlier in the season and has finished on the podium in the last three races.

Williams have upped their pace on development and rocketed back into the title race on Sunday when Ferrari drivers Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello managed only fifth and third and McLaren failed to score a single point.

The race was livened up by Montoya's move and Williams said: "It warmed up in the middle and I thought it was a very good motor race. Ralf drove like a metronome, he was going to be unbeatable, unpassable, once he got the lead.

"And the race team do a brilliant job - the pitstops are outstanding time after time. People who do their homework will find that in the last two years we have been fastest in the pitlane more times than any other team."

McLaren have now had two complete non-scoring races, in Spain as well as the Nurburgring, and Ferrari have suffered one, in Brazil, while Williams have been consistent points scorers. They moved past rivals McLaren to move into second place in the Constructors' Championship on Sunday and are now just 13 points behind leaders Ferrari having scored 47 points in the last three races.

"Could we have beaten Raikkonen? I am by no means sure, but what matters is we are a few points ahead of McLaren. They had a tough day. I am really sympathetic," said Williams.