246 replies to this topic

[pjabyrne]

I couldn't believe Montoya being interviewed by Steve Rider after the race. He's just been completly blown away by his team-mate & he's all smiles, showing off his new kid...

Then he had the excuse about Kimi being on a 'more aggressive strategy'...

He's become a total journeyman. And to think he was hailed as the second coming a few of years ago...

[Spunout]

OTOH, despite of being blown away by Kimi in the last two races he has avoided mistakes and brought the car home, taking solid points in the process. That´s better than eg Australia, where he was desperate to beat his teammate, spun 3 times, crashed out and publicly blamed the team for his own mistake. I don´t think 5th was that bad, actually. Clearly Renault and Ferrari were better cars than McLaren. This approach could well give him some chances for McLaren/Renault drive next season: be as consistent as you can, and whenever the opportunity arises to beat Räikkönen, grab it with both hands (just don´t screw up!).

[tifoso]

Montoya is very friendly when he knows his title hopes are over. I always wonder how hard he tries in these situations. But Spunout is correct; he's doing what's needed to help McLaren in the Constructor's race, bringing the car home in the points.

[Louis Mr. F1]

this is a change of personality I didn't expect from JPM, he was always fierce and never admit being slower than his teammate, now, it SEEMS he's being content with finishing behind his teammate. Maybe his philosphy now is to gather as many points as possible without causing anymore controversy, hopefully, this would enable him to either stay at McLaren or find another seat for next year. Before Monaco, I doubt there's any team really wants him.

[tifoso]

At Williams and many times at McLaren he's shown he is not a team player. That's not what teams want in any driver, especially one that has been thoroughly outpaced by his teammate. Maybe he's just trying to change his image.

And no, he's not always been fierce. He was like this in late 2001 after he knew he couldn't win the WDC. And so on.

[Ferrari_F1_fan_2001]

I think JPM knows that this year's car is a dog and he'll just grin and bear it. Renault are too far ahead anyway and will only stretch out their lead.

[Spunout]

I think JPM knows that this year's car is a dog and he'll just grin and bear it. Renault are too far ahead anyway and will only stretch out their lead.

Of course, we should remember unless he starts to perform, next year he could end up driving a car that would make this year´s McLaren look like a supercar...

[Dmitriy_Guller]

I agree with others, Montoya seems like he's on sedatives once he knows he's out of contention in the big picture. All the way back in 2000 in CART, it was a very common sight to see him shrug his shoulders and calmly walk away from his broken Lola Toyota, even if it broke while he was blowing the field away.

[primer]

Originally posted by pjabyrne
I couldn't believe Montoya being interviewed by Steve Rider after the race. He's just been completly blown away by his team-mate & he's all smiles, showing off his new kid...

Then he had the excuse about Kimi being on a 'more aggressive strategy'...

He's become a total journeyman. And to think he was hailed as the second coming a few of years ago...

Different people react differently to pressure situations. I do not think that Juan is totally unaware that he is being blown away by Kimster. But perhaps this is his way of 'coping' with the situation. This is a little bit sad really; you have to feel sorry for Juan. I wonder if pairing with Kimi is like some kind of curse in Formula 1, the guy is just scary fast and totally demolishes his team mate.

[BuonoBruttoCattivo]

Originally posted by primer
I wonder if pairing with Kimi is like some kind of curse in Formula 1, the guy is just scary fast and totally demolishes his team mate.

like he demolished heidfeld? (and don't give me the rookie crap, NH was pretty damn young too)

[Menace]

I think Montoya is just trying to play his cards so he is sure to land Mclaren drive will Kimi leave. Yes, I read the Grandprix.com rumour about him getting the boot, but I don't beleive it for a second. Montoya would not be acting so happy did he not know something about his situation within the team, something we all speculate about.

I think Montoya has finally accepted Kimi is simply out of his league, but he has NOT been measured against Alonso yet, and was he to push Alonso in a way he never managed against Kimi, he would be rated amongst the fastest again. Slower then Kimi, but faster then %90+ of the grid.

[Menace]

Originally posted by BuonoBruttoCattivo


like he demolished heidfeld? (and don't give me the rookie crap, NH was pretty damn young too)

Well its not really crap, considering Heidfelds reputation on the grid, and Kimis currently. Many of us seemed to see the exact same things Dennis and Ferrari saw. Is there a hotter driver on the market? Do not all of these team sing praises about Kimi? Kimi showed he could immediately MATCH Quick-Nick... He would easily beat the crap out of him over a season at his current form. Much more easily then he did JPM or lesser extent Coulthard (Both of whome I think are faster then "quick"-Nick).

Heidfeld is solid week-in week-out, that is his biggest strength. But pure speed it never has been, and never will be.

[Arrow]

Originally posted by BuonoBruttoCattivo


like he demolished heidfeld? (and don't give me the rookie crap, NH was pretty damn young too)

Not only was Kimi a rookie to F1 but he was also a rookie to racing fullstop. I think he had like 20 F Renault races to his name and nothing else. He was still learning the act or driving back then, while Heidfeld has enourmous race driving experience even before he got into f1.

[MP4/?]

Kimi is full of hot air.. He destroys cars, his driving is incosistent..

Juan is a better driver, I can't explain what he is going through now, but I have seen this guy driving for 9 years now and I can tell you that he is a very special driver..

Juan was winning arace with a very inferior Williams in his second race in F1 when a idiot call Verstappen crashed into him in Brazil..

Juan was impresive in F3000, in CART, in the Indy 500 and in F1... I hope he comes back..

[yr]

Originally posted by MP4/?
Kimi is full of hot air.. He destroys cars, his driving is incosistent..

Juan is a better driver, I can't explain what he is going through now, but I have seen this guy driving for 9 years now and I can tell you that he is a very special driver..

Juan was winning arace with a very inferior Williams in his second race in F1 when a idiot call Verstappen crashed into him in Brazil..

Juan was impresive in F3000, in CART, in the Indy 500 and in F1... I hope he comes back..

A JPM fan calling Kimi inconsistent, that´s a good one. JPM´s lower formula results means nothing here, he just simply isn´t as good as Kimi.

[Menace]

Originally posted by MP4/?
Kimi is full of hot air.. He destroys cars, his driving is incosistent..

Juan is a better driver, I can't explain what he is going through now, but I have seen this guy driving for 9 years now and I can tell you that he is a very special driver..

Juan was winning arace with a very inferior Williams in his second race in F1 when a idiot call Verstappen crashed into him in Brazil..

Juan was impresive in F3000, in CART, in the Indy 500 and in F1... I hope he comes back..

This must rank amongst the most idiotic post's in the forum history!!

Oh yes, Juan is better he just has no clue how to show it!!!

[Ross Stonefeld]

Originally posted by Arrow


Not only was Kimi a rookie to F1 but he was also a rookie to racing fullstop. I think he had like 20 F Renault races to his name and nothing else. He was still learning the act or driving back then, while Heidfeld has enourmous race driving experience even before he got into f1.

He'd been racing for probably 10 years when he got to F1.

[yr]

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld


He'd been racing for probably 10 years when he got to F1.

10 years probably in karts, might be, but only 24 races smaller formula.

[TailG]

Originally posted by Ross Stonefeld


He'd been racing for probably 10 years when he got to F1.

9 years of Karting before 1 year of Formula Renault and then moving to F1...Never has any driver with as little experience made it to F1.

[Ross Stonefeld]

Mmm, many in TNF might disagree

[pUs]

Originally posted by MP4/?
Kimi is full of hot air.. He destroys cars, his driving is incosistent..

Juan is a better driver, I can't explain what he is going through now, but I have seen this guy driving for 9 years now and I can tell you that he is a very special driver..

Juan was winning arace with a very inferior Williams in his second race in F1 when a idiot call Verstappen crashed into him in Brazil..

Juan was impresive in F3000, in CART, in the Indy 500 and in F1... I hope he comes back..

I don't know what to say, really. One of the funniest post since Dan2K left the board.

[RiDE]

Originally posted by MP4/?
Kimi is full of hot air.. He destroys cars, his driving is incosistent..

Juan is a better driver, I can't explain what he is going through now, but I have seen this guy driving for 9 years now and I can tell you that he is a very special driver..

Juan was winning arace with a very inferior Williams in his second race in F1 when a idiot call Verstappen crashed into him in Brazil..

Juan was impresive in F3000, in CART, in the Indy 500 and in F1... I hope he comes back..

Speaking of hot air...

[yr]

Originally posted by pUs




I don't know what to say, really. One of the funniest post since Dan2K left the board.

Actually, now that you mentioned Dan2k... I think he is back, with a new name.

[wheelock]

Maybe Juan is just comfortable with his life at the moment , wife, child, great profession.
Agreed a driver has to stay sharp and on top of his game , but he does seem to get on with it, and
provide good results when machine and circumstances allow.
So perhaps Juan is just fortunate to be able to quickly switch off and return to husband father and
human being mode more quickly than his fellow racers.
Some people can be driven so hard by their professional ambitions that life can just charge on by
unnoticed.
This sort thing must be the more prevalent in top levels of motor racing where personal time
seems at a premium, with all that traveling etc.

I recollect a favorite motorcycle racer of mine, a smiling Daijiro Kato alongside his wife proudly
presenting his first newborn to the cameras .
He was killed at Suzuka not too long afterwords.
Got to 'make hay' when the sun shines eh?


Mark

[Spunout]

like he demolished heidfeld? (and don't give me the rookie crap, NH was pretty damn young too)

But he had one full season in F1. And thousands of test kms with McLaren. And two seasons in F3000. Etc.

In the first races NH had small edge. From there KR had small edge, until the contract with McLaren was confirmed. It was later revealed by KR (but now you are of course going to say he lied) and his manager that there was no equal treatment from that point. NH got equipment KR didn´t get. Quite natural I suppose, considering Sauber-Ferrari connection and KR moving to Mc.

In any case, I agree he didn´t demolish NH. But it was very impressive rookie season nevertheless.

[RDM]

Originally posted by MP4/?
Kimi is full of hot air.. He destroys cars, his driving is incosistent..

Juan is a better driver, I can't explain what he is going through now, but I have seen this guy driving for 9 years now and I can tell you that he is a very special driver..

Juan was winning arace with a very inferior Williams in his second race in F1 when a idiot call Verstappen crashed into him in Brazil..

Juan was impresive in F3000, in CART, in the Indy 500 and in F1... I hope he comes back..

Juan Pablo is "Special"? Like Nikki from Big Brother, I suspect...

[HBoss]

Bringing solid points home?
That's the very least JPM should do and it's nothing to write home about, and there are still doubts about that. It has only been three races since he spun at Catalunya, and then it had only been three races since he made a complete mess and spun at Australia, and before that it had only been 4 races (China 05 included) since he crashed out at Suzuka, which was also 2 races after he was involved in a collision with a backmarker at Spa and there was only one race between that and his other collision with a backmarker at Istambul, which was two races after his qualifying spin at Hockenheim...
It's no surprise that his seat is not safe for 2007.


I don't know what happened to him, but I did expect more from him when he moved to McLaren and I'm not the only one.

[Big Block 8]

Originally posted by HBoss
I don't know what happened to him, but I did expect more from him when he moved to McLaren and I'm not the only one.

You certainly wasn't. About one third or thereabouts of the people who posted in 2006 predictions, were expecting Montoya to outperform Kimi in 2006!!!

[TickTickBooom]

Who cares? Seb is so cute. That interview was the highlight of the race.

[Amanda]

Tick Tick Boom

I agree with you. The interview was charming. Seeing drivers in a relaxed light, gorgeous child.


Montoya and Raikkonen haven't got the best car - I believe their performances are equal this year. They are still the most exciting drivers on the grid.

[yr]

Originally posted by Big Block 8


You certainly wasn't. About one third or thereabouts of the people who posted in 2006 predictions, were expecting Montoya to outperform Kimi in 2006!!!

And half of the people who posted in 2005 predictons, were expecting Montoya to outperform Kimi in 2005. Somepeople never learn, oh well.

[Deeq]

Montoya is being laid off - from his current employment - no wonder he is laid back...

[yr]

Originally posted by Amanda



Montoya and Raikkonen haven't got the best car - I believe their performances are equal this year. They are still the most exciting drivers on the grid.

Yes, and Alonso and Fisi have got the best car- I belive their perfomances are equal this year.

[yr]

Originally posted by Deeq
Montoya is being laid off - from his current employment - no wonder he is laid back...

Well, he has to find a new team then, doesn´t he? How is it helping his case to be "laid back" and have embarrasing results compared to his team mate in every god damn race?

[zooropa21]

Montoya would have been far more aggressive on Heidfeld for a pass were he in his usual mindset (and old rules circa 2001). He tried for two laps and then relaxed it, not what he is used to do. He yet cruised and brought the car home with points which is good given that he is not used to doing that; as we saw at Spa and Turkey last year. I hope he has a competitive drive next year ideally with a Bridgestone shod team.

Zooropa21

[Kooper]

Originally posted by MP4/?
I have seen this guy driving for 9 years now and I can tell you that he is a very special driver..

Juan was impresive in F3000, in CART, in the Indy 500 and in F1... I hope he comes back..

Abbreviated your post abit to the points I agree with.

Juan is a very special driver imo. There is no better pure racer/overtaker on the grid. JPM is as talented as Schui, Alonso and Kimi. What he is not is smart... take last year for example. Monaco, his antics put him at the back of the grid. Turkey, in a solid 2nd position, places his car in harms way and got booted by (Tiago?). Far to often Juan has himself been his biggest problem. These are the things that place him on a slightly lower tier than the other 3 driver I mentioned.

When he is on, when all is right with his car, JPM is as spectacular as any driver who's ever set foot in F1.

That statement and fact is what separates him from Scummi or Kimi. They push anyways, taking all that is available, while Juan tends to give up or cruise.

Juan was placed in a situation last year where he had to support his teammate... and give up a win or 2. That, plus knowing he cannot quite match Kimi in raw speed, has probably taken some confidence & aggressiveness away from. It cannot be easy for any top driver to know w/o doubt his teammate is faster.

I hope he comes back also. F1 would be better with Juan in top form fighting at the top.

[msarmiento]

Originally posted by Menace
I think Montoya is just trying to play his cards so he is sure to land Mclaren drive will Kimi leave. Yes, I read the Grandprix.com rumour about him getting the boot, but I don't beleive it for a second. Montoya would not be acting so happy did he not know something about his situation within the team, something we all speculate about.

I do not think JPM will stay at McLaren, he wants a three years deal and he will not get it there. His personality does not fit McLaren´s corporate image. Besides McLaren will not recover from AN & company departure until 2008.

[Keir]

Laid back or more pragmatic ??

[selespeed]

he still managed to do something alonso, schumi and kimi did not do yesterday. overtake somebody on the track.

[WHITE]

Originally posted by HBoss


I don't know what happened to him, but I did expect more from him when he moved to McLaren and I'm not the only one. [/B]

Perhaps, Montoya expected more from McLaren too :

[Deeq]

Originally posted by yr


Well, he has to find a new team then, doesn´t he? How is it helping his case to be "laid back" and have embarrasing results compared to his team mate in every god damn race?

I am not his adviser.....but I would think this is far more productive than his usual tactics of pointing fingers at every one not called Montoya for the lack of good result. Perhaps Rons rubbing off to him some of his analytical prowess...oops i did it again.
Now that i think about it, you ruined my litle not so funy joke!


Btw I am not agreeing with your take on his performances, He did finish 3 places from his teammate having hade dealed with RB [moving chicane]...and you call that embarrasing.
Montoya did have embarrasing moments during his time at the evil empire but yesterdays race was not one of them. If you want to see embarrasing moments for Montoya... Germany & Canada 2005 will do fine or France 2003...

[Sr. Speed]

I think you miss the point. Montoya is the real Ice Man. He's much calmer than KR. If any of you actually read the full length of his interviews you'll see that he's mature, cares about his family, etc. He doesn't view F1 as the most important thing in his life. I think in one of the Autosport interviews recently he said something like "I'm a happy man. I have a great family and a great job. There's nothing to get upset about." Sounds like a pretty well-balanced guy to me. Plus, the attitude signals that despite the anti-Montoya speculation in this forum, he's confident in his future in F1.

[Sr. Speed]

Originally posted by WHITE




Perhaps, Montoya expected more from McLaren too :

Amen!

[Spunout]

I think you miss the point. Montoya is the real Ice Man. He's much calmer than KR. If any of you actually read the full length of his interviews you'll see that he's mature, cares about his family, etc. He doesn't view F1 as the most important thing in his life. I think in one of the Autosport interviews recently he said something like "I'm a happy man. I have a great family and a great job. There's nothing to get upset about." Sounds like a pretty well-balanced guy to me. Plus, the attitude signals that despite the anti-Montoya speculation in this forum, he's confident in his future in F1.

The real ice man 1

The real ice man 2

When it comes to on track antics, one of the differences between JPM and his teammate is whenever something goes wrong for Kimi, he usually keeps his head and does his best anyway. If something happens to JPM however, you almost expect to see him on gravel trap/crashing/penalized soon. Canada 2005 and Australia 2006 are only two examples.

[sputnik]

JPM has probably internalised the fact the he will never be wdc.

In that event: smile, take your coin$ to the bank.

[sek]

Nice clips Spunout

[yr]

Originally posted by Sr. Speed
I think you miss the point. Montoya is the real Ice Man. He's much calmer than KR. If any of you actually read the full length of his interviews you'll see that he's mature, cares about his family, etc. He doesn't view F1 as the most important thing in his life. I think in one of the Autosport interviews recently he said something like "I'm a happy man. I have a great family and a great job. There's nothing to get upset about." Sounds like a pretty well-balanced guy to me. Plus, the attitude signals that despite the anti-Montoya speculation in this forum, he's confident in his future in F1.

That sounds like... say, Mika Häkkinen after he quit. Family is great thing to have, lots of money is also good thing to have, but if you lost that spirit which you need to be a good racer then you have lost it. Simple as that. Mika lost it for who knows why, JPM lost it probably because he has seen that he can´t match Kimi in qual or in race no matter how hard he try. period.

[Imperial]

As a follower of Montoya for the last 8 years or so, I have been quite disappointed at probably his last 3 seasons in F1. He was absolute dynamite in F1 before that, but he has definitely been off colour since then.

My take on this is that he still has the fire, but only in the way that a dormant volcano does.

As long as he has poor results at the start of a season (whether his fault or the cars or other drivers fault) then I think he would continue to do a reasonable job during a race, but nothing outstanding.

If he can get a good start to a season going, a few race wins right at the start of the season and take the title lead, then I think the fires would reignite and he would absolutely come alive and dominate F1 the way he dominated the 1999 CART season - or how Alonso is dominating right now. As it is, he suffers the same fate as many drivers who have a poor start to the season.

The points system doesn't help any driver in his situation though, does it? A guy like Monty is not a million miles away from the championship lead - it's theoretically still available to him, but he is professional enough to know that realistically he has no chance whatsoever of taking the title this season. What else can you do now other than try and get some decent points to finish high up in the rankings, what is the point of breaking the car or risking a crash for a win that ultimate will take you nowhere?

Perhaps in seasons with the old points system, drivers like Montoya, Fisichella and Trulli would give a more sustained title challenge.

I once thought Montoya would be the next Senna (I thought this before Michael took a million titles) but I know he never will be now.

Monty will never be a multiple champion, but he is good enough to do a Mansell or a Hill and take one title if he can get a good start to a season, where he will just be carried along by confidence and the good results that come from that.

[Don Speekingleesh]

Originally posted by Imperial
dominate F1 the way he dominated the 1999 CART season

And win on countback?

[Imperial]

Montoya still took 7 wins to Franchitti's 3.

I don't care to get into a stats game though, let me leave it there please !!!!

Feel free to ignore the "dominate" comment if you want, just read the rest of what I said.