JULY 3, 2001
Montoya admits to qualifying struggles
COLOMBIAN star Juan Pablo Montoya has admitted he is having difficulty getting to grips with Formula One qualifying sessions in his debut season for Williams.
Team-mate Ralf Schumacher claimed his first ever pole position at the French Grand Prix last weekend, but Montoya has consistently struggled in the hour-long session on Saturdays.
"The only thing where he is stronger than me is in qualifying," claimed Montoya. "And I know that is something I've got to work on.
"I know it is there - I don't need to find it, but I've just got to get to grips with it like he has."
In the last ten Grands Prix, Montoya has qualified below Ralf Schumacher eight times and while Montoya's lowest position was a 12th place in Spain, Schumacher has not yet started from lower than fifth.
"He has been better this year than normal," suggested Montoya, who has been out-performed by Schumacher in 90 percent of the qualifying sessions.
"If you compare this year with the other years he has done a much better job. He is pushing me as well and I don't mind that - he has five years experience compared to my half-a-year."