Whitmarsh: JPM Didn't Fit In.

[monza gorilla 1]

As Colombian Montoya prepares to make his debut this weekend in NASCAR's premier category, Martin Whitmarsh suggested to Speed TV that the 31-year-old's soured end to his Grand Prix career might have influenced McLaren's failure to win a race in 2006.

But Whitmarsh said: "We can try and apportion blame and responsibility there, but it didn't work out.

"Whether it was 90 per cent his fault and 10 per cent ours or vice versa - he didn't really blend in.

"He didn't really blend in at Williams either, but we hoped we could achieve more with Juan than we did."

Montoya won seven Grand Prix from 95 starts.

Source: Racing-Live

Old news, or just Whitmarsh admitting that signing the piemeister was a mistake?

[ykickamoocow 0]

I dont thhink Montoya would ever fit into any team that well as he didnt seem like a very nice person.

[Jem of the Shire 0]

They probably underestimated JPM's difficultness, if u get me. They probably just assumed they could 'tame' him and make him great, but it didnt work out. I dont think they would regret signing him though, in 2005 JPM had some outstanding drives

[Jean Todt 4]

They probably underestimated JPM's difficultness, if u get me. They probably just assumed they could 'tame' him and make him great, but it didnt work out. I dont think they would regret signing him though, in 2005 JPM had some outstanding drives

agreed!

[bajo39 0]

I dont thhink Montoya would ever fit into any team

Indeed, he is very large around the middle, particularly in the first few months after the winter break... It's a wonder that any team managed to fit him in.

[Ctrl300 0]

Indeed, he is very large around the middle, particularly in the first few months after the winter break... It's a wonder that any team managed to fit him in.

[ykickamoocow 0]

Indeed, he is very large around the middle, particularly in the first few months after the winter break... It's a wonder that any team managed to fit him in.

I guess we know know why he went to NASCAR as that is probably the only racing car he can actually get into.

[bajo39 0]

I guess we know know why he went to NASCAR as that is probably the only racing car he can actually get into.

Yes, Montoya outgrew F1...

[Jenson_Rules 0]

well it doesnt help with him eating everything he see's!

[cavallino 2]

I dont thhink Montoya would ever fit into any team that well as he didnt seem like a very nice person.

Exactly, it is a give and take relationship, Montoya doesn't understand the give part..

[Autumnpuma 0]

Monty's an arrogant a$$ and he needs someone more arrogant to control him. He only really did well with Chip Ganassi, an even bigger arrogant a$$ than Juan.

[Taku 0]

Yes, Montoya outgrew F1...

[Jem of the Shire 0]

He brought a bit of character to F1 though, and some brilliant overtaking moves, and some really dominant victories. Strangely he made a lot more mistakes in his final season than he did when he was starting out

[Autumnpuma 0]

He brought a bit of character to F1 though, and some brilliant overtaking moves, and some really dominant victories. Strangely he made a lot more mistakes in his final season than he did when he was starting out

A good assessment, Jem. JPM was always good at overtaking, even in CART. As to your last, about making more mistakes in his final years, why do you think that was?

[cavallino 2]

Lack of intelligence, common sense, a decent mentor whom he trusted. Utter stupidity basically, a waste of good talent. Great when things were going for ihm, but incapable of understanding when they don't. Didn't have the help he needed, or didn't take it. Perhaps a bit of both.

[FABIAN 0]

With all i read here, it

[cavallino 2]

I don't know Spanish, so what is the new excuse?

[bajo39 0]

I don't know Spanish, so what is the new excuse?

I'm looking forward to it also...

[Jean Todt 4]

A good assessment, Jem. JPM was always good at overtaking, even in CART. As to your last, about making more mistakes in his final years, why do you think that was?

let me answer! its because of the pressure that he didnt have a good drive secured for the next season! and monty does seem to suffer from inferior complexion, he gets depressed very fast, people who have followed his career would be able to get me. the main reason why he left williams because he thought ralf got the better treatment, even when he was mclaren, i think it was during the first gp, bahrain gp right? where he/team found out that he was 8km/hr slower than kimi in straights and he went openly complaining about the difference in performance etc. then i guess this years mclaren was a lot more slower for his kind of driving, and he had to push it, given a good car we have seen the way he dominates the field, for sure i still think if he comes back to f1, he can still trash guys like ralf, but, as cav stated he wasted his own talent, he should have merged with the team like ms and alonso, instead of walking away.

Lack of intelligence, common sense, a decent mentor whom he trusted. Utter stupidity basically, a waste of good talent. Great when things were going for ihm, but incapable of understanding when they don't. Didn't have the help he needed, or didn't take it. Perhaps a bit of both.

I guess we know know why he went to NASCAR as that is probably the only racing car he can actually get into.