After the hype surrounding his signing to the Williams team, Juan Pablo Montoya must expect to come under scrutiny in 2001. The 25-year-old Colombian has some Formula1 experience under his belt, but only as a test driver for Williams in 1997, and his most recent learning curve has taken place in CART, where he won the Championship at his first attempt in 1999.

With the less than successful transfer to Formula1 of double CART champion, Alex Zanardi, still a vivid memory, Montoya will be watched closely by all for any sign of a flaw. However, there is no denying that the Colombian has more than his fair share of natural talent and is a quick and smooth driver, but he has become accustomed to the more aggressive ChampCar and may find the nervous Formula1 machine a bigger challenge.

Team mate, Ralf Schumacher, is also determined to prevent his top status within the Grove based team being usurped. However, the Colombian has proved quick in winter testing, and has gone faster than Schumacher already. Ultimately Monotya had been tipped to be a potential rival for Michael Schumacher, and he already looks like developing into a promising Formula1 driver.