Date of birth : 20 September 1975
Birthplace : Bogota
Marital status : Married to Connie
Height : 168 cm
Weight : 73 kg

Wins : 1
Points scored : 81
Number of GP : 34
Pole Position : 10
Podiums : 11
First GP : 2001 (Melbourne)
Best result : 1





P R O F I L E

Juan Pablo Montoya's formula1 career began in 1997 when he combined his full time racing duties in formula 3000, where he finished second that year to Ricardo Zonta, with a test driving role at Williams.

In 1998, he concentrated fully on his formula 3000 assault as he had joined a new team, Super Nova, and managed to take the title after a good season long tussle with current Sauber driver, Nick Heidfeld.

Although Montoya was on a long-term contract with Williams, the team opted to "lend" his services to the US CART team, Chip Ganassi Racing, and take its star driver, Alex Zanardi, to partner Ralf Schumacher for the 1999 season.

Interestingly, the fortunes of Zanardi and Montoya could not have been more different: the highly-rated Italian, who had taken two CART titles by that year and was lauded for his aggressive driving, scored no points in his Williams debut and was released by the Grove team at the end of the season. Montoya, by contrast, took to CART like a fish to water and won the championship in his first year in a commanding way.

The 2000 season brought a lot of speculation as to whether Frank Williams would bring Montoya back to the team and give him a race seat but instead opted to sign a new young talent named Jenson Button. In the end, Montoya stayed with the Ganassi team for 2000, and while it proved considerably less successful than his first year in the series, the Colombian managed to take another highly acclaimed motor racing prize: the Indianapolis 500.

Returning to Williams in 2001 to partner the younger Schumacher brother, Ralf, Juan Pablo saw his first Formula one victory at Monza. He secured several podium finishes and three pole positions throughout his debut season, causing quite a stir in the paddock with his aggressive driving style. The Colombian refused to back down from Michael Schumacher and his pass on the German in Brazil is still discussed today. A fiery confrontation with Jacques Villeneuve is also on his resume, however 2002 was a new year and one where he hoped to see his first F1 world title. 

Unfortunately, this didn't come to pass and although he notched up seven pole positions and gained the reputation of king of qualifying, he was unable to turn any of his front row spots into victories. Juan finished third overall in the drivers battle, behind the two Ferrari drivers and is now looking to 2003 as a fresh new challenge for championship honours. 




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