Head on Montoya

At a pre-season meet-the-press meeting, WilliamsF1 director has confirmed what many already believed, that Juan Pablo Montoya's decision to sign for McLaren was a direct result of a disagreement over team tactics at last year's French Grand Prix, a race won by the Colombian's teammate Ralf Schumacher.
Montoya was convinced the team had given Ralf preferential treatment, thus spoiling his own chances. According to Head, Montoya eventually roared out of the pits then began to launch a tirade of abuse over the radio before finally deciding to slow his pace. A move that ironically possibly cost him a win.

"Juan incorrectly thought that we had notified Ralf of his actions and called Ralf in one lap early," Head revealed. "So he was pretty strong on the radio abusing the team verbally for the next 10 minutes. I think he went into a bit of a sulk and backed off deciding to cruise to the end of the race. He finished 15 or 20 seconds behind Ralf.

"In fact as it happened in that last bit of the race, Ralf made a bit of an error and slipped wide," added the Englishman. "Had Juan been on his tail he probably could have taken advantage of it.

"Verbally abusing the team continuously on the radio we didn't think was appropriate when the guys had worked their nuts off on the car and done some fantastic pit stops," he continued. "Juan didn't like that very much. We did talk about it. We thought we couldn't have a situation where he pretty much accused everyone in the team from top to bottom of being incompetent twice."

It's understood that in the days following the race Montoya was severely reprimanded at a specially convened meeting. Head believes that this admonishment precipitated the Colombian's defection to Woking.

"I think Juan was not impressed at having his knuckles rapped and I know the decision to sign with McLaren was taken within a few days," he said.

"Finishing second behind his team mate did not make him a happy lad," he added. "Juan is a passionate character and by virtue of that he sometimes makes impulsive decisions and comes to impulsive conclusions. He's not perfect but I expect he will win championships in his time."

With Kimi Raikkonen clearly Ron Dennis' 'blue eyed boy', we can probably expect a few outbreaks of verbal hostility between the Colombian and the 'Ronster' in time. Who said F1 is boring?


This has been known for a while, though I didn't realise it was that bad (and it sounds quite bad if you ask me). The only thing that still puzzles me is why JPM is still at Williams. :dunno:

no one should be that abusive to a team. it's just not on. i presume there were contactual issues at macs end that stopped him signing for 2004.

honestly :screwy:

If I were Head, he would have been on gardening leave after that.

Thats just not on. Hes NOTHING without the crew. I don't think he see's that though.

I give JPM the benefit of doubt given that Williams has a history of not being so gracious to their drivers. JPM is a hot head though, and he doen't like getting hit in the head with a camera. :lol2:

There are two things I'd like to add:
a) Remember Spa (?) 02 when Montoya called Kimi a "f*cking idiot" on the pit-car radio? No love lost between the two.
b) I hope we get to hear the conversations between Montoya and his team and to see team meetings on TV in 05 if Kimi consistently beats him :hehe:

Now that would be a hoot! But, I don't want to see a team that's to be torn apart because of bad blood between the two, like Senna/Prost.

I wonder if McLaren's "attachment" to Kimi will be an issue for J-P

According to Head "everyone knows that Williams treats both drivers fairly", even if Montoya didn't believe that was the situation at the 2003 French GP.

The Colombian accused Williams of favouring his team-mate Ralf Schumacher during the Magny-Cours event by letting him pit earlier than scheduled. This led to a row taking place between Montoya and team personnel, which earned him a talking to by Head. The Williams technical director says it was that rap over the knuckles that convinced Montoya to sign for McLaren.

However, when he joins the Woking-based squad, he may really find out just what favouritism is all about because, "they (McLaren) have a lot of affection" for Kim Raikkonen, who will be Montoya's team-mate in 2005.

"It will be an interesting change," Head told The Sun, "McLaren are not shy in saying how happy they are with Raikkonen but Montoya is not shy of a challenge."


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So Montoya left because he thought (wrongly) there were team orders :screwy: Guess Maranello wasn't an option for him then.

The "attatchment" (whatever that means) Ron had to Mika was not a problem for Coulthard. So I don't see that Montoya would have a problem either.

The "attatchment" (whatever that means) Ron had to Mika was not a problem for Coulthard. So I don't see that Montoya would have a problem either.
If you didnt know what i meant by "attachment" how can you say it was also in evidence with Ron and Mika? :p

I do disagree with it not having been an issue for DC. Sure, there was never a #1 driver in the McLaren team as there was with Ferrari & MS but i think it's fair to say there was slight favouritism for Mikka, in the shape of personal support due to Ron's strong personal relationship with Mika. DC's manager (Brundle) often commented on this, and you only have to remember DC's live dispute with RD a few years ago (was it Monaco(?) where RD was quick to blame DC for what turned out to be a technical fault) to show that DC wasnt always fairly treated, and in ways which Mikka certainly wouldnt have been.
With JPM seeming to be the kind of person who needs to feel that the team is there for just him and to help him reach his goal, he may be frustrated by the "attachment" that Ron has developed for Kimi.

:2cents:

If you didnt know what i meant by "attachment" how can you say it was also in evidence with Ron and Mika? :p

The context of "attachment' could mean just about anything to anybody at anytime, real or imagined - therefore my comment in parenthesis. Is there an "attachment" to Kimi, I don't know. I do however believe that Ron and Mika shared a special bond - just look at what they went through together to ultimately overcome and win the WC together. I'm a deep guy so you need to think just as deeply before attempting a cheap shot :lol:


I do disagree with it not having been an issue for DC. Sure, there was never a #1 driver in the McLaren team as there was with Ferrari & MS but i think it's fair to say there was slight favouritism for Mikka, in the shape of personal support due to Ron's strong personal relationship with Mika. DC's manager (Brundle) often commented on this, and you only have to remember DC's live dispute with RD a few years ago (was it Monaco(?) where RD was quick to blame DC for what turned out to be a technical fault) to show that DC wasnt always fairly treated, and in ways which Mikka certainly wouldnt have been.
With JPM seeming to be the kind of person who needs to feel that the team is there for just him and to help him reach his goal, he may be frustrated by the "attachment" that Ron has developed for Kimi.

:2cents:

Wasn't an issue for DC at Spa 1999 or Silverstone 2000. Despite Mika's position in the WDC and need for points Ron did not ask Coulthard to relent. Mika was not happy about that!

Given Brundle's management interest in DC it made good business sense to talk up his client. Personal conflicts are bound to arise, but how they affect the preparation of the car or team orders is a big stretch. If Coulthard had been winning every race Ron wouldn't have found much to criticise. At that time Ron was obviously not happy with Coulthard, still kept giving him a drive though :screwy:

The context of "attachment' could mean just about anything to anybody at anytime, real or imagined - therefore my comment in parenthesis. Is there an "attachment" to Kimi, I don't know. I do however believe that Ron and Mika shared a special bond - just look at what they went through together to ultimately overcome and win the WC together. I'm a deep guy so you need to think just as deeply before attempting a cheap shot :lol:

There was no "attempt at a cheap shot" here, sorry to disappoint you but I’m not that kind of guy :p
I simply didn’t see how you didn’t understand what i was trying to say with the use of the word “attachment” when you went on to use it to the same meaning in the same sentence. Anyway, thats not important.

Wasn't an issue for DC at Spa 1999 or Silverstone 2000. Despite Mika's position in the WDC and need for points Ron did not ask Coulthard to relent. Mika was not happy about that!

Absolutely, like I said, McL wasn’t (and still isn’t) a #1 & #2 driver kind of team, so TO’s are a no-no (until it's mathematically impossible yata yata yata...)

Given Brundle's management interest in DC it made good business sense to talk up his client. Personal conflicts are bound to arise, but how they affect the preparation of the car or team orders is a big stretch. If Coulthard had been winning every race Ron wouldn't have found much to criticise. At that time Ron was obviously not happy with Coulthard, still kept giving him a drive though :screwy:
No, personal relationships have very little impact on the preparation of a car, especially within a team led by someone like RD. However, drivers are like kids, they need words of encouragement, human support, a pat on the back, or maybe a lollipop when theyve had a good race :lol2:
What im trying to say is: a little man-management goes a long way. It’s true for all sports and F1 is no exception. Confidence is a significant catalyst for driver performance, and I don’t believe the McL team was an environment which was good for DC’s self-esteem. He wasnt badly treated per se, but as you said in your post, ” just look at what they (RD & MH) went through together to ultimately overcome and win the WC together. The McL was ultimately geared, no matter how narrowly, towards Mika. That must have been frustrating for DC, knowing RD had "a favourite" (i wont use the word attachment :p ), and i suspect the forthcoming situation could prove to be the same for JPM if i'm right about RD & KR's "bond".

And btw, I don’t believe Brundle’s comments were a case of him talking his driver up, I don’t know if you’ve ever watched the itv coverage but Brundle is fair and indeed often brutal in his criticisms of DC. He doesnt hold back, and besides, a pundit's comment are going to have no effect on a team manager looking for a new driver, not imo anyway.


Phew.. i havent tried to turn this into a MH vs DC thread btw, because quite frankly, 2-0 speaks for itself. But I do feel that JPM will find it less accommodating at McLaren than he is anticipating.

However, drivers are like kids, they need words of encouragement, human support, a pat on the back, or maybe a lollipop when theyve had a good race :lol2:


:iceslolan

i know all about that :p

Bah, too much mollycoddling. Alan Jones or Niki Lauda never needed to be loved before they could be quick! I think Sir Frank and Head's attitude to drivers is still largely dictated by Alan Jones' hardheaded approach to racing and life in general.

To try and get back to the point at hand, you've got to kind of admire Montoya's pig headedness in this situation. He was pissed off at the team so he went and did something about it immediately. Message: Juan Pablo does not need Williams.

Bah, too much mollycoddling. Alan Jones or Niki Lauda never needed to be loved before they could be quick! I think Sir Frank and Head's attitude to drivers is still largely dictated by Alan Jones' hardheaded approach to racing and life in general.

Maybe so, but since today's drivers are a bunch of softies and need to be pampered, then so be it.
To try and get back to the point at hand, you've got to kind of admire Montoya's pig headedness in this situation. He was pissed off at the team so he went and did something about it immediately. Message: Juan Pablo does not need Williams.
Yes, I do admire people who do something about a situation they dont like instead of whinging about it. Just as long as they're given a reason to be pissed off, which i dont think Montoya was. But then again, i dont know all the facts.
What i do know is that it's wrong for JPM to feel that he doesnt need Williams. He needs their support this year to try to win the WDC and may not get the same level of commitment from his team as he did last year. Being pig headed may come back to haunt him next year too. Let's see where McLaren are relative to Williams in '05.

Just as long as they're given a reason to be pissed off, which i dont think Montoya was. But then again, i dont know all the facts.
Rightly or wrongly Montoya thought he had a reason, and his perception is his reality. Even if he acknowledges he was mistaken during the race, then the dressing down after could have just as easily been the trigger.

What i do know is that it's wrong for JPM to feel that he doesnt need Williams. He needs their support this year to try to win the WDC and may not get the same level of commitment from his team as he did last year.
True, but he must have felt that commitment was not forthcoming from Williams after the French GP. So he had nothing to lose.

Being pig headed may come back to haunt him next year too. Let's see where McLaren are relative to Williams in '05.
It is a gamble on Montoya's part. It may have been more prudent to delay the decision and see where the pace lay. Hell, what if Schumacher Snr retired at the end of the year leaving the fastest seat on the grid open? Thanks to his early commitment Montoya would not be in a position to take advantage of that. Juan Pablo has played his cards, now just has to see what luck has in store for him. Same as anybody really.

I would have played a different hand and still think JPM was a little deluded and rash in his decision.

They say fortune favours the brave, so who knows, it could work out for him.

To brings this up, it has been reported that JPM had a heated exchange of words with his mechanics after FP1 today. As in really heated. Was witnessed by several reporters, and sounded quite bad. If it's true, I don't see him finishing the season with Williams.

Montoya does seem to be in a bit of a bad mood since arriving in Australia. Can't say I blame him - and if today's practice results carry through, he'll leave in a worse one!

such a hothead.... he should learn to control himself.. unless it's all part of a "bigger plan"