SEPTEMBER 14, 2000

Schumacher is beatable - Montoya

BMW-Williams recruit Juan Pablo Montoya plans to add a Formula One world title to his 1999 Champ Car championship success after branding all of his rival drivers as "beatable".

Colombian Montoya insists that every driver on the grid - including German Michael Schumacher - can be beaten and he feels with the backing of BMW-Williams he can be a success in the sport.

"Everyone is beatable - even Michael Schumacher," Montoya said. "I don't think there's anyone who isn't beatable. He's got two arms, two legs, two eyes and a brain.

"With the Williams team working behind me I'm sure I'm going to be fine. They were able to do it when Jacques Villeneuve moved across.

"But people should not expect me to do the same as happened in America. I don't know anybody who has moved into Formula One and won it in their first year."

Montoya also said that people should not compare him to Briton Jenson Button, who he will replace alongside Ralf Schumacher next season.

"This time last year, no-one had heard of Jenson Button," he said. "He had only two years of racing experience, so I think he has done well. But it is not fair to compare us."