Mclaren Backs Montoya Title Challenge !!!

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MCLAREN BACKS MONTOYA TITLE CHALLENGE !!!

ITV

McLaren CEO Martin Whitmarsh has talked up Juan Pablo Montoya's chances of challenging for the 2006 Formula 1 world championship.

Speaking in a teleconference interview to coincide with the first run of the team's brand new MP4-21 challenger at Barcelona, Whitmarsh talked effusively of the Colombian's winter preparations and mindset.

Montoya's McLaren team-mate Kimi Raikkonen has been linked to drives with Ferrari and Toyota in 2007, and while there is every chance that the Finn could stay at McLaren it appears that he is coming under pressure to commit to a decision.

Particularly since only one of them can partner Fernando Alonso, who joins the team in 2007.

"They are both proud and competitive race drivers," said Whitmarsh when asked if he had seen a change of attitude in his drivers since the Alonso announcement.

"I sense, although not as a result of the announcement, that Juan Pablo has got the bit between his teeth.

"He has tried to take another step, he is raising his game and he is working like hell away from the car with his engineers and trainers."

Whitmarsh pointed to the second half of the 2005 season, where Montoya outperformed his team-mate on several occasions, as a barometer for the Colombian's competitive level.

"I sensed that towards the end of last he was able to show form that was quicker than Kimi," he said.

"Juan Pablo's self belief and confidence is higher than ever. He believes he can beat Kimi."

Whitmarsh also admitted that McLaren had changed the characteristics of the MP4-20 to suit Montoya better in the second half of last year.

Of Raikkonen's state of mind Whitmarsh would only say: "I imagine that Kimi feels he can beat Juan Pablo too."

When asked why McLaren had signed Alonso, Whitamarsh's answer appeared to back this up: "The opportunity arose and we saw someone who was willing to commit to the long-term future of the team."

James Allen's view: "I took part in this teleconference and it appeared to me that McLaren is applying serious pressure in several areas and primarily on Raikkonen. Pressure is being applied on Kimi to make clear his future plans and up his performance levels. As a result I think that the battle between him and Montoya will be fantastic in 2006."