Montoya: I won't wait for Ron to make up his mind. Juan Pablo Montoya has told McLaren-Mercedes boss Ron Dennis that he won't wait around for an offer to stay with the Woking based team - and that he is now actively searching for a position elsewhere. Montoya's current deal with McLaren expires at the end of this season but, following the news that Fernando Alonso will join the team in 2007, either JPM or his team-mate, Kimi Raikkonen, will be surplus to requirements. Montoya, who only joined the team from Williams at the start of last year, is incensed that McLaren failed to take up their option to extend his deal for a further two years. That option expired on 31 December, and he is now determined he won't be left as the odd one out. "I'm looking around to see what I'm going to do. There has been no decision on what is going to happen at McLaren but I am open to offers," he told British newspaper The News of the World. "I can't wait to see whether Ron makes up his mind. I am not waiting for anybody. I will see who offers me what I want. "I've been looking around since the day Ron said he wasn't going to take up the option. Before Ron had even announced Fernando was joining, I was looking around because I need to find a drive if he doesn't want me. I'm not thinking about whether to stay here. If they don't want me, then I will find a team who do. "At the moment, if I had an option from Ferrari or Renault or Williams - or a long-term commitment from another team - then I would take it. I am a racer and I want to make sure I'll be battling for the title." Hmmm, the plot thickens. I think JPM might be a little rash in this but there is logic to it. If Kimi resigns with McLaren, JPM is screwed.
Good I'm sick of the fat Bogota boy having a whinge. Hope to god he gets shafted, and the F1 community can clean the stain off their white sheets that is, Juan.
JPM is a great driver without a doubt but he is too hot-headed on the track and often makes too many choices that are very risky. He has caused many of a wreck on the track, caused himself to go off the track and out of the race when he was in a good position, and God help him if he gets behind MS He has great spirit and to be honest I like his aggresiveness, but if I was a team owner I would be very hesitant to hire him on my team because of the above reasons. Honestly if I was an F1 driver I would probably be like him because to me it would be about winning. I would not be content to be #2. Indeed the plot thickens which is what I love about F1. So much passion!!! Alexander
In areas like this he should trust his more level headed agent to do the talking. He can effectivly shoot himself in the foot if he keeps yapping. You pay the agent; let him do his job.
I think everyone knows how you feel about JPM by now, lol. He's no worse than certain other drivers have been in the past, including a 7 time champion.............
I dunno about that, sometimes a well placed leak to the media can be used for an advantage, he might be doing just what his agent is telling him to do. By putting this out there he might be forcing Ron to give him his deal now, if Kimi really is signed with someone else (Ferrari/Toyota) for 07. If this really is the case as has been reported, then JPM is in the driver's seat so to speak. He'd be in a prime position to get a very favorable contract. Say what you want about him but he is still one of the top 4 drivers out there and when he uses his head he is hard to beat. If Webber has another bad year this year or Nico proves to be a bust, I could see Sir Frank taking JPM back. Now if Kimi really isn't signed to anything and is just waiting to see how the new McLaren goes this year then JPM might be wanting to get some of the huge money out there, already knowing that Kimi is the preferred choice at McLaren. Not a bad move, but i think the timing is off, I would have waited to see how close or surpass Kimi this year and then put my name out there. The fight will now be all the more interesting. And if JPM did end up at Ferrari i'd probably be rolling on the floor laughing at all the haters out there, lol
I think he's doing the right thing. You can't just sit around waiting for something to happen. You need to take action and do something about it. I really hope he gets a ride with BMW Sauber after JV is done. That would be the best imo I am surprised he said he's willing to go back to Williams. He was practically complaining about them 24/7 his last season with them, but then couldn't stop thanking them at the '04 Brazilian GP post-race interview (his last race with the team and he won. Thinking about it, it was Williams' last win). I wouldn't be surprised if Williams wants him back. He was definitely the best driver they've had there in the last 6 years. They might bring JPM in to teach Rosberg some stuff (kinda like the dumb movie Driven ) Not sure if Renault is a good choice since some of you have said rumors of them leaving after this season. Ferrari would be cool, but I think he'd make his decision based on whether or not MS is staying. I dont' know if those two would be best of friends on or off the track, lol. Maybe if JPM joins them with MS driving, he'll put up a real battle between teammates like it should be.
