The pint-sized Colombian came to F1 with a vivid reputation. With an exciting driving style and a tough-guy mentality, he utterly dominated the US-based Champ Car series over the last two years.

However, success in Champ Cars does not guarantee success in F1. Jacques Villeneuve, who came over in 1996, adapted well enough, but Alex Zanardi, who joined Williams in 1999, was an abject failure.

The same can certainly not be said of Montoya.

He took time to adapt to F1, and was outqualified nine-one by team-mate Ralf Schumacher in the first 10 races.

But the pass of the season on Michael Schumacher at the Brazilian Grand Prix, gave an indication of Montoya's intent. It looked then like a major new star had burst on to the scene - and so it has proved to be.

To expect a novice to come in and beat a driver of Ralf Schumacher's quality hands down is hoping for too much.

Nevertheless, from the French Grand Prix on, Montoya was to have the measure of his team-mate, who only outperformed him once more - in Hungary - all season.

Montoya finally took a long overdue first win at the Italian Grand Prix, the end of a run of three pole positions in four races.