JULY 6, 2001

Montoya unsure on tires

COLOMBIAN Juan Pablo Montoya has put a question mark over the Michelin tires on his Williams FW23 as he prepares for the British Grand Prix.

The team has experienced many ups and downs from the French manufacturer during the season, and although Montoya is predicting that the Silverstone circuit will not suit them, he is confident they will come through.

"Silverstone is a bit of a question mark on the tires," admitted Montoya. "But it seems everywhere we go the tires are working really well when it counts.

"It is a track that I know pretty well and we have new parts since the last time we tested here, so we should be quite good."

Team-mate Ralf Schumacher will be looking to repeat his French Grand Prix pole position at the Northamptonshire track after claiming Silverstone is "difficult if not impossible" to overtake on.

"The circuit is quick and challenging, but unfortunately it is very difficult to overtake here," said Schumacher.

"Bridge and Copse are corners where there is very little run-off area so you have to be careful not to go off at either of these places.

"However the safety at Stowe has been improved since my brother, Michael, had his accident there in 1999."