MAY 17, 2001

Villeneuve backs Montoya

JACQUES VILLENEUVE believes Colombian new-boy Juan Pablo Montoya has the perfect personality to achieve success with the Williams team.

Former Williams driver Villeneuve knows a certain style of character can blossom there and expects Montoya to have the required character.

"It's a team that gives a good chance to both sides," said Villeneuve. "And it's a good team to start with if you've got a strong personality.

"If you've got a weak personality and if you're not hungry it's a bad team but if you're really hungry and want to do something special then it's a good team.

"I think having a German engine with a German driver as a team-mate probably doesn't help him his side but he has got some personality and he knows what he wants and that is very needed in Formula One."

Montoya has already shown his promise this year and although he has only finished one race, when he finished second in Barcelona, he has also led the Brazilian and Austrian Grands Prix.

Print News Story