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Rediff.com  » Sports » Montoya unmoved by McLaren problems

Montoya unmoved by McLaren problems

By Lewis Franck
June 11, 2004 19:48 IST
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Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya says he could not care less about McLaren's problems, even though he is joining the Formula One team next year.

"They can keep blowing (up), I don't care," the Williams driver told reporters before Sunday's Canadian Grand Prix, the eighth round of the season.

"I'm not going to cheer for them," he said.

"I'm concerned about getting a good car when I start driving the car and see what can I help on and how can I improve the car. At the moment it's their problem, not mine."

McLaren are suffering their worst start to a season since Ron Dennis took over as team principal in 1981, scoring just five points in seven starts and sinking to sixth in the constructors' championship.

However, the team, beset by engine problems, tested a heavily-revised chassis at Silverstone in England last week that they hope will get them back on the winning path.

The car has been pencilled in for a race debut in France next month and Montoya denied any current concerns about it's performance.

"I'll be more interested in the last two races than now, because this is not the car that I will be racing next year, that's probably the car I'll be testing with," the Colombian said.

"I don't even know what their (McLaren's) planned schedule is or anything, I signed a contract, thank you very much, see you whenever.

"Really, I'm still a Williams driver until I'm done here," Montoya added.

"The only thing that would happen from here to the end of the year is a seat fitting to make sure we're prepared for winter testing.

"Whenever I go there I'm not going to tell them anything and, at the moment, they're not going to tell me anything either because I'm still a Williams driver and I want to beat everybody."

Despite colliding with German team mate Ralf Schumacher at the first corner of the last race at the Nuerburgring, Montoya said he was still doing a good job for Williams.

"I don't care if people think that you are crazy, you're trying too hard, you are doing stupid things," he declared.

"I don't care. I think I'm driving good, Frank (Williams) thinks I'm driving good, anything else I don't care."

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Lewis Franck
Source: REUTERS
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